ABSTRACT
Two decades ago two events occurred simultaneously. First, Hirschi’s volume Causes of Delinquency was published, while numerous books were printed on theory construction. Second, modes of theory construction were discussed in various publications but that subject was rapidly left aside. If an axiomatic theory consists of “logically related, logically consistent, and logically complete definitions and propositions”, two types of rules can be used to transcend a discursive statement: mathematical and formal. In fact, theory formalization involves for the theorist many decisions that are technical rather than theoretical. Formalization obliges the theorist to clearly identify as well as distinguish between the various substantive terms of a theory. The most important element of the bond to conventional society is the individual’s attachment. In sum, the construct “involvement” is composed of four concepts: “involvement in school related activities’, ‘involvement in work’, ‘involvement in conventional activities with parents’, and ‘involvement in conventional activities with peers’.
