A theory developed by Walter C. Reckless at Ohio State University, first published in 1956, holding that delinquency is prevented by containment: inner controls such as a strong self-concept and frustration tolerance, and outer controls such as family and school supervision and group cohesion, that insulate individuals from criminogenic pressures even in high-crime environments. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountInner psychological controls and outer social controls together insulate an individual from criminogenic pressures, so a person with strong containment resists delinquency even where opportunity and social strain are present. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueCritics regard containment theory as an extension of earlier control theories rather than a wholly original contribution: Don Gibbons and Marvin Krohn described it as consisting of old wine in a new bottle. Others note it lacks clearly testable statements, since Reckless never specified which of its inner and outer elements would predominate in a given case. 2 Connections
Associated With
Containment theory and Hirschi's social control theory both explain conformity through the strength of controlling bonds rather than through strain or learning.
Source Wikipedia: Walter Reckless
Developed By
Source Wikipedia: Walter Reckless
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Walter Reckless
Biography sectionQuote, Biography section
Reckless' theory posits that social control, which constrains deviance, delinquency, and crime, included 'inner' (i.e., strong conscience or a 'good self-concept') and 'outer' forces of containment (i.e., supervision and discipline by parents and the school, strong group cohesion, and a consistent moral front).
2. SAGE Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory: Containment Theory
SAGE Publicationsp. 781 (Conclusion)
Don Gibbons and Marvin Krohn assert that containment theory consists of "old wine in a new bottle" (1991, p. 107).
In Group: Social Control and Self-Control Theories, PDF page 2, Containment Theory section
containment theory is considered one of the earliest control theories
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