Functionalist Theories of Crime & Deviance - Hirschi | A Level Sociology

Why do people not commit crimes? How is social control maintained? Hirschi identified four bonds of attachment and these are explained in this video covering Hirschi and functionalist theories of crime and deviance.

VIDEO TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction to Hirschi's functionalist theories of crime and deviance.
00:32 - Hirschi's theory focuses on attachment bonds as a deterrent to deviant behavior.
01:08 - Attachment bond: Goals and conformity to societal norms.
01:40 - Belief bond: Agreement with societal norms and values.
02:13 - Commitment bond: Reluctance to go against community wishes.
02:46 - Involvement bond: Engagement within the local community.
03:19 - Factors leading to criminal behavior: Absence of control and opportunities.
03:52 - Hirschi's departure from focusing solely on working-class males in explaining criminal behavior.
04:23 - Limitations of Hirschi's theory: Lack of causal explanation and specificity of criminal behaviors.
04:58 - Conclusion, summarizing Hirschi's functionalist theories of crime and deviance.

VIDEO SUMMARY
This video explores Hirschi's functionalist theories of crime and deviance, focusing on the importance of social control and socialization in maintaining social order. Hirschi emphasizes the bonds of attachment to society as a deterrent to deviant behavior, outlining four distinct bonds: attachment, belief, commitment, and involvement. The video discusses how these bonds control individuals' behavior and shape their conformity to societal norms and values. Additionally, it explores the factors that contribute to criminal behavior, such as the absence of controlling factors, opportunities to commit crimes, and inadequate socialization. However, the video notes the limitations of Hirschi's theory, such as its failure to explain the causes of crime or the specific nature of criminal behaviors. Overall, Hirschi's theory offers insights into the social bonds that influence individuals' engagement with society and their likelihood of engaging in deviant acts.

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