Abstract
This essay looks at how the social control theory may be used to comprehend mass killings. According to it, social ties like attachment, commitment, engagement, and belief act as a deterrent to criminal activity, including mass killings. Along with an investigation of additional aspects that contribute to mass murders, the benefits and drawbacks of the theory in explaining mass killings are examined. Finally, the possibility of integrating it with other criminological theories and influencing practice and policy to lessen mass murders is suggested as an avenue for future study on these topics.
Introduction
In the discipline of criminology, Travis Hirschi’s social control theory (SCT) is a well-known concept. Hirschi initially proposed the Social Bonding Theory in 1969, and it has since undergone several modifications and additions. According to Hirschi, a person’s lack of social relationships is the primary motivator of criminal conduct. Individuals who are closely affiliated with organizations are less likely to engage in illegal activities than those who are not.
Hirschi identified four types of social bonds that are crucial in preventing criminal behavior. These are attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Extension refers to the emotional bonds an individual has with family, friends, and other people in the community. Commitment involves a person’s investment in conventional activities such as education, career, and family, which deters them from engaging in criminal activities. Involvement refers to the time and energy an individual devotes to legitimate activities such as sports, clubs, and other organizations, which leave less time for criminal activities. Belief refers to an individual’s acceptance of social norms and values that discourage criminal behavior.
Mass murders, also known as mass shootings, are incidents where four or more individuals are killed in a single event, excluding the perpetrator. Mass murders have become a major social issue in the United States, with several high-profile incidents occurring in recent years. According to the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (2023), “Since 2015, over 19,000 people have been shot and wounded or killed in a mass shooting; in 2022 alone, over 600 people were killed, with over 2,700 wounded.” The most common location for mass shootings was schools, followed by workplaces and public spaces.
Theoretical Framework
A theoretical paradigm called social control theory explains why some people commit mass murders while others do not. The hypothesis suggests that individuals with weak social ties are more likely to commit crimes. Weak social ties can take a variety of forms in mass murder cases. For instance, the offender could lack solid emotional links to their family and friends, be less dedicated to traditional pursuits, be excluded from legitimate groups, and not share the societal norms and values that forbid violence.
The theory also suggests that social control mechanisms, such as family, schools, and other institutions, play a critical role in preventing criminal behavior. When these institutions are unable to offer sufficient social control, people may be more inclined to commit crimes, even mass killings. Therefore, understanding the factors that contribute to weak social bonds and ineffective social control mechanisms can help prevent mass murders and other forms of criminal behavior.
This paper aims to analyze Travis Hirschi’s social control theory and its strengths and limitations in understanding mass murders committed by offenders in the US and its potential for informing policy and practice in preventing such incidents.
Literature Review
Historical Development of Social Control Theory
Travis Hirschi introduced the theory in his 1969 book “Causes of Delinquency,” according to Chriss (2022). Hirschi postulated that individuals with strong social ties are less likely to commit crimes than those with weak social relationships. Hirschi’s thesis opposed the prevailing school of thought in criminology at the time, which focused on the individual and their innate criminal tendencies, according to Costello and Laub (2020). With the addition of new ideas and dimensions by researchers, the theory has undergone several alterations and extensions over time.
Hirschi advanced the idea that all criminal activity stems from a lack of self-control. Rocque and Piquero (2019) claim that more academics have expanded the notion to include concepts such as social capital, social cohesiveness, and social support. Despite its emphasis on compliance and disregard for the significance of power and inequality in society, the SCT has been used to analyze atrocities such as mass killings (Duxbury et al., 2018; DeAngelis, 2018). According to Sumter et al. (2018), the theory’s focus on enhancing social ties and social control mechanisms can help deter crime and foster community cohesiveness.
Key Concepts and Assumptions
The social control theory posits that the absence of social control is the primary cause of criminal conduct (Costello & Laub, 2020). The primary cause of crime, according to Chriss (2022), is the failure of social control systems to prohibit or restrict criminal conduct. It bases its assumption on the idea that humans have an inherent tendency toward deviant behavior.
Formal and informal social structures that manage behavior through punishment or incentives, respectively, impose social control (Tittle, 2018). According to the theory, individuals with poor social ties, little allegiance to established society, low dedication to moral principles, and a high level of engagement in peer groups that practice deviance are more likely to commit crimes (Rocque & Piquero, 2019).
Social control systems adjust to an individual’s level of social integration, a foundational concept of the SCT (Lilly et al., 2018). The term “social integration” refers to a person’s participation in established social systems, such as family, school, and employment, that encourage and reward adherence to social norms (Sumter et al., 2018).
According to the SCT, individuals who are socially integrated are less likely to commit crimes, as they stand to lose more in terms of their social standing and reputation (Heydari et al., 2021). On the other hand, those who are not socially integrated are more prone to commit crimes since they stand to lose more socially.
Another foundational principle of the SCT is the concept of opportunity, which posits that a person’s exposure to criminal activities and the extent of social institutions’ control over them both influence their propensity to commit a crime (Duxbury et al., 2018). This viewpoint posits that individuals’ decisions to commit crimes are influenced by their assessments of the benefits and drawbacks associated with such actions.
Empirical Studies
The SCT has been employed in numerous empirical studies to understand criminal behavior. For instance, Tittle (2018) demonstrated that low levels of social control, such as a lack of monitoring and weak adherence to conventional standards, were associated with higher levels of deviance. Further research by Costello and Laub (2020) examined the connection between social control and aversion to crime, finding that those who forged close relationships with traditional society were less likely to commit crimes. Similarly, Widowaty (2019) employed social control theory to investigate how family and peer interactions may deter young offenders from committing violent crimes.
The media’s representation of mass shootings was also examined using the social control theory by Duxbury, Frizzell, and Lindsay (2018), who made the case that the coverage frequently reinforces societal norms and values connected to race and mental illness. A meta-analysis of research on self-control theory, a subfield of the theory, was also carried out by Rocque and Piquero (2019). It discovered consistent support for the theory’s central hypotheses in a range of cultural situations.
Application of the Theory in the United States
According to the theory, persons who commit mass murder have minimal connection to conventional society, including their families, schools, and places of employment, and have little motivation to uphold standards. Mass murderers usually have strained relationships with family members, poor academic achievement, and difficulty holding down employment, according to Duxbury et al. (2018). These individuals may struggle to form lasting connections with others, feel socially isolated, and experience low self-esteem. The social control hypothesis posits that individuals who lack social relationships that can restrain their behavior are more likely to commit crimes.
DeAngelis (2018) makes the case that the theory sheds light on the reasons for mass shootings in the US. According to the author, these violent acts might be brought on by a need for attention, a desire for retribution, or a feeling of helplessness. According to social control theory, individuals who perceive themselves as having little control over their lives may exhibit violent behavior more frequently. Furthermore, the media’s coverage of mass shootings might encourage future perpetrators to feel famous and crave attention, feeding the cycle of violence.
Social Control Theory in Explaining Mass Murders
Strengths
The SCT stresses the significance of social interactions and adherence to social standards in avoiding criminal behavior, which gives a robust framework for understanding mass murders. This idea suggests that individuals who feel closely connected to their family, friends, school, and community are less likely to engage in violent crime. Individuals with supportive social networks are less likely to engage in illegal activities. The idea also emphasizes how a person’s worldview and views are formed via socialization, which may either support or contradict violent action.
The theory also emphasizes the reduction of criminal behavior caused by informal social control mechanisms, including socialization and relaxed penalties. Informal punishments, such as ridicule and condemnation, can have an impact on a person’s behavior and deter them from acting violently. These processes imply that communities can contribute to the prevention of mass killings by creating an atmosphere that values social ties and adherence to social norms.
Limitations
Despite its advantages, the SCT falls short of fully explaining mass killings in several ways. Firstly, the idea falls short of explaining the complexity and variety of mass killings. While social ties and adherence to social standards play a significant role in deterring criminal activity, they may not entirely account for the reasons for or conditions surrounding mass killings.
Furthermore, the structural variables that have been connected to mass killings, such as poverty, prejudice, and access to guns, are not taken into consideration by the social control theory. The emphasis on individual-level elements rather than larger social ones that lead to mass killings is another drawback of the theory. The hypothesis fails to take into consideration the role that the media, cultural norms, and political views play in encouraging violent conduct and creating a culture of mass shootings.
Factors
Access to guns, mental illness, and extremist ideology are among the factors that lead to mass killings outside of the scope of the SCT. The incidence of mass shootings in the US has been associated with the accessibility of weapons. Even if it is not a direct cause of mass killings, mental illness can make people more aggressive and worsen their problems. Finally, individuals may be driven to conduct mass murders to further radical ideas like white supremacy and terrorism.
As a result, the theory provides a practical framework for expaining how social ties and adherence to societal standards operate to deter illegal activity, including mass killings. The hypothesis, nevertheless, falls short when it comes to an understanding of the fine and varied conditions and complicated motivations that cause people to perpetrate mass murder. When evaluating the underlying causes of mass shootings, it is crucial to take into account both individual-level issues and bigger social ones, such as access to guns and extreme ideology.
Research on Mass Murder
In many ways, the social control theory has been used to study mass killings. Numerous studies have looked at the theory’s potential to explain the motives and actions of mass killers. For instance, studies show that those who perpetrate mass murder frequently have weak social ties, which enhances the risk that they would act violently (Costello & Laub, 2020).
Other research has looked at social control mechanisms that might stop the emergence of violent inclinations that could lead to mass murder, such as parenting techniques and community participation (Widowaty, 2019). Even though the SCT has shown promise in helping us comprehend mass killings, it is crucial to realize its limits and the necessity for additional criminological theories to be included in our understanding of this complicated issue.
Prevention
The theory suggests that individuals with robust social networks and effective social control mechanisms are less likely to engage in violent behavior. It can thus be applied to prevent mass murders by strengthening social relationships and encouraging social control mechanisms. One way to achieve this is to encourage appropriate parenting practices, including monitoring children’s behavior, setting clear boundaries, and providing emotional support.
One may also encourage community participation by offering individuals the opportunity to engage in positive social activities and strengthen ties within the neighborhood. Interventions may be created to identify and treat mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, which can result in violent behavior.
Reducing Mass Murder
Despite showing promise in lowering the likelihood of violent conduct and averting mass killings, social control theory is not a cure-all. The strength and availability of social control mechanisms in society affect how well the SCT works to prevent mass killings. The idea may not be successful in reducing violent conduct in societies with weak social ties and few social control systems. Additionally, since some people may have specific circumstances or psychological reasons that motivate them to behave violently, the theory may not be able to explain or prevent all instances of mass murder.
Future Implications
Future Direction
The function of social links in avoiding mass killings, such as the significance of family, school, and community connections, should be further explored in future studies on the social control theory and mass murders. Further study can look at how its tenets can be applied to other cultural contexts, particularly in nations where mass killings are less common or take different forms. Future studies might also look at how the SCT might be used to prevent violent crimes other than mass killings and to advance community safety and well-being.
Integration with Other Criminological Theories
To analyze mass killings more thoroughly, the SCT can be combined with other criminological theories. For instance, according to strain theory, people are more likely to act abnormally when there is a mismatch between their expectations and their actual life conditions. Researchers can look at how the stress brought on by the breakdown of social ties might lead to mass killings by merging the social control and strain theories.
Potential to Inform Policy in Reducing Mass Murders
Hopefully, the social control theory will help guide practice and policy in the effort to stop mass killings. Mass murder risk can be effectively reduced by policies that encourage the building of social ties, such as expanding access to mental health care, family support efforts, and community participation programs. Additionally, incorporating the theory into criminal justice procedures might help deter future mass killings and lower recidivism rates among criminals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the social control theory offers a helpful framework for comprehending how social ties play a role in averting mass killings. Despite its drawbacks, it can be used with other criminological theories to comprehend mass killings more thoroughly. Future studies should concentrate on the social control theory’s adaptability to many cultural contexts and investigate how its principles might guide practice and policy to decrease mass killings.
This study looked at how mass murders may be understood and prevented using the SCT. The study suggests that it provides significant insights into the institutional and social factors that may contribute to mass murders and how strengthening social bonds may function as a preventive measure.
However, the theory falls short of adequately addressing the numerous psychological and environmental factors that may be involved in mass murders. Future research on its potential in light of other criminological theories and in other cultural contexts is required. Future research should also consider how the SCT could impact neighborhood-based programs that enhance social integration, family support, and mental health services.
References
Chriss, J. J. (2022). Social control: An introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
Costello, B. J., & Laub, J. H. (2020). Social control theory: The legacy of Travis Hirschi’s causes of delinquency. Annual Review of Criminology, 3, 21-41. Web.
Duxbury, S. W., Frizzell, L. C., & Lindsay, S. L. (2018). Mental illness, the media, and the moral politics of mass violence: The role of race in mass shootings coverage. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 55(6), 766-797. Web.
DeAngelis, F. (2018). Mass shootings in America: Understanding the debates, causes, and responses. ABC-CLIO.
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. (2023). Mass Shootings in the United States. Everytown Research & Policy. Web.
Heydari, A., Teymoori, A., & Trappes, R. (2021). Honor killing as a dark side of modernity: Prevalence, common discourses, and a critical view. Social Science Information, 60(1), 86-106. Web.
Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T., & Ball, R. A. (2018). Criminological theory: Context and consequences. Sage Publications.
Rocque, M., & Piquero, A. R. (2019). Self-control theory: Theoretical and research issues. Handbook on crime and deviance, 131-144. Web.
Sumter, M., Wood, F., Whitaker, I., & Berger-Hill, D. (2018). Religion and crime studies: Assessing what has been learned. Religions, 9(6), 193. Web.
Tittle, C. R. (2018). Control balance: Toward a general theory of deviance. Routledge.
Widowaty, Y. (2019). The application of social control theory in preventing violent crime by juvenile delinquents. Journal Media Hukum, 26(2), 182-193. Web.