Which of the following is not an element of social bond theory?
Answer
a. Attachment to significant other cross out
b. Socialization into an oppositional subculture cross out
c. Belief in moral standards of society cross out
d. Commitment to conventional goals cross out
e. Involvement in conventional activities
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Socialization into an oppositional subculture.
Social bond theory, developed by Travis Hirschi in 1969, posits that individuals are less likely to engage in delinquent or criminal behavior when their bonds to society are strong. The theory identifies four key elements that connect individuals to conventional society and reduce the likelihood of deviant behavior:
- Attachment to significant others: This element refers to the emotional bonds individuals form with family, friends, and other important figures. These attachments influence behavior because people care about the opinions and expectations of those they are emotionally close to. If a person values these relationships, they are more likely to avoid actions that would hurt or disappoint these individuals.
- Commitment to conventional goals: This element refers to the degree to which individuals are invested in achieving societal goals, such as academic success or career advancement. The more committed a person is to these goals, the less likely they are to engage in activities that could jeopardize their ability to succeed in these areas.
- Involvement in conventional activities: The theory suggests that people who are actively engaged in conventional activities like school, work, or sports have less time and opportunity to engage in deviant behavior. Their involvement in these activities ties them to society and promotes prosocial behavior.
- Belief in moral standards of society: This element pertains to an individual’s acceptance of societal rules and norms. People who believe in the importance of these moral standards are less likely to violate them.
On the other hand, socialization into an oppositional subculture is not part of Hirschi’s social bond theory. This concept is more closely associated with other criminological theories, such as differential association theory or strain theory, which focus on how individuals might be socialized into deviant or criminal subcultures.