ABSTRACT
This chapter reports on a quasi-meta-analysis of over 100 studies purporting to test Hirschi’s 1969 theory of social control. The research objectives, sources of data, and ways in which elements of the social bond have been operationalized are examined to determine whether the “wheel of science” in criminology has advanced sufficiently to refute or confirm this popular theory. This updates an earlier effort in 1993 which found the state of the science wanting. Since then, several new longitudinal surveys have become accessible and the popularity of The General Theory of Crime and the developmental life course perspective appears to have muddied the theoretical waters. Considerable variation in and testing of the theory continues to proceed without sufficient implementation of lessons learned by previous efforts. Unfortunately, the status of the theory of social control is not yet settled.
