Re-Examining the Integrative Social Capital Theory of Crime

• NCJ Number: 198343
• Journal: Western Criminology Review Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 30-54
• Author(s): Rebecca S. Katz
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 25 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded December 16, 2002.

Annotation

This paper re-examines several theoretical tenets, which postulate that early attachment processes and a variety of negative developmental outcomes such as feelings of mistrust and shame have an impact on the development of criminal behavior patterns.

Abstract

The author explains that developmental theories of crime focus on how early attachment processes are linked to the development, or lack thereof, of empathy, and consequently, the development of criminal behavior patterns. Furthermore, other theories speculate that attachments to partners or work lead to desistance of criminal activities. The author points out that these theories omit the works of developmental psychologists that suggest that early insecure attachment, coupled with child abuse, can lead to a variety of negative outcomes including mistrust, shame, doubt, and survival delinquency. In this paper, the author re-examines Hagan and McCarthy’s theories that integrate these tenets of strain theory, control theory, and the sociology of emotions. The author draws on data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study from 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994 to test several hypotheses related to how juvenile crime is influenced by poor attachment to parents and feelings of shame. Hypotheses under examination included the question of whether youths who had been arrested or confined would experience more feelings of shame; whether youths with poor attachments to parents would experience higher levels of shame; whether youths with higher levels of shame were more likely to engage in violent behavior or substance abuse; whether youth with secure attachments to parents or work would exhibit less shame and aggressive behavior; and whether poor youths were more likely to experience high levels of shame. Results reveal shame did have an impact on criminal behavior and, as such, proactive rather than reactive responses to juvenile crime would act to reduce shame and, consequently, reduce criminal behavior. Tables, references