Attachment
Definition
Emotional sensitivity to the opinion of significant others, particularly parents, teachers, and peers. An attached individual cares about what these others think and avoids acts that would damage those relationships.
Related terms
- Analogous behaviours
- Non-criminal acts that, according to the general theory, stem from the same low self-control as crime: reckless driving, smoking, alcohol misuse, employment...
- Commitment
- Investment in conventional lines of activity such as education, career, and reputation. A person with high commitment has much to lose from...
- General theory of crime
- The theory proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi in 1990 holding that low self-control is the single variable explaining the universal age-crime curve....
- Low self-control
- A stable personality trait characterised by impulsivity, insensitivity, risk-seeking, short-sightedness, and preference for non-verbal over cognitive tasks. Gottfredson and Hirschi argue it...
- Social bond
- The set of ties that connect an individual to conventional society. In Hirschi's model, the bond has four elements: attachment, commitment, involvement,...
Explained in
- Social Bond and Self-Control TheoriesEmotional sensitivity to the opinion of significant others, particularly parents, teachers, and peers. An attached individual cares about what these others thi...