Editing Control theory (sociology) (section)

{{Short description|Sociological concept}}
{{Sociology}}
[[File:Control Strategy.jpeg|thumb|right|400px|Control theory diagram<ref>Martin, Asher (March 11, 2010). [http://www.asherm.com/blog/research/ Control Theory Flow Chart] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304065740/http://www.asherm.com/blog/research/ |date=2012-03-04 }}.</ref>]] 
'''Control theory''' in [[sociology]] is the idea that two control systems—inner controls and outer controls—work against our tendencies to [[deviance (sociology)|deviate]]. Control theory can either be classified as [[centralized]] or [[decentralized]]. Decentralized control is considered [[Market (economics)|market]] control.  Centralized control is considered [[bureaucratic]] control.  Some types of control such as [[clan]] control are considered to be a mixture of both decentralized and centralized control.

Decentralized control or market control is typically maintained through factors such as [[price]], [[competition]], or [[market share]]. Centralized control such as bureaucratic control is typically maintained through [[Administration of business|administrative]] or [[hierarchical]] techniques such as creating standards or policies.  An example of mixed control is clan control which has characteristics of both centralized and decentralized control.  Mixed control or clan control is typically maintained by keeping a set of [[value (ethics)|value]]s and beliefs or norms and traditions.

[[Containment theory (Reckless)|Containment theory]], as developed by [[Walter Reckless]] in 1973, states that behavior is caused not by outside stimuli, but by what a person wants most at any given time.  According to the control theory, weaker containing social systems result in more [[deviant]] behavior.

Control theory stresses how weak bonds between the [[individual]]s and [[society]] free people to deviate or go against the norms, or the people who have weak ties would engage in [[crime]]s so they could benefit, or gain something that is to their own interest. This is where strong bonds make deviance more costly. Deviant acts appear attractive to individuals but social bonds stop most people from committing the acts. Deviance is a result of extensive exposure to certain social situations where individuals develop behaviors that attract them to avoid [[conform]]ing to social norms. Social bonds are used in control theory to help individuals from pursuing these attractive deviations.

According to [[Travis Hirschi]], humans are selfish beings, who make decisions based on which choice will give the greatest benefit.  A good example of control theory would be that people go to [[Employment|work]]. Most people do not want to go to work, but they do, because they get paid, to obtain food, water, shelter, and clothing.

Hirschi (1969) identifies four elements of social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hirschi, Travis |title=Causes of Delinquency |url=https://archive.org/details/causesofdelinque00hirs |url-access=registration |isbn=978-0-520-01901-0|publisher=University of California Press|year=1969}}</ref>