The Social Bond Theory by Travis Hirschi
Travis Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory, developed in 1969, explores how weak or absent social bonds contribute to delinquent and criminal behavior. Rooted in functionalist criminology, the theory integrates paradigms from Sutherland’s differential theory and Merton’s strain theory. It emphasizes four key elements—attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief—that influence an individual’s connection to society. The theory has been widely tested, showing that strong social bonds decrease delinquency. Hirschi’s work continues to provide insights into addressing crime and social deviance, particularly among youth.
References
Lilly, Robert J., Richard A. Ball and Francis T. Cullen. Criminological theory: context and consequences. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, 2011.
Reference
StudyCorgi. (2025, January 6). The Social Bond Theory by Travis Hirschi. https://studycorgi.video/the-social-bond-theory-by-travis-hirschi/