Control Balance: Toward A General Theory Of Deviance

by Charles R. Tittle

A major contribution to the field of crime/deviance, this volume by noted criminologist Charles R. Tittle puts forth an integrated theory of deviance―control balance. Its central premise is that the total amount of control people are subjected to, relative to the control they can exercise, will affect the probability and type of their deviant behavior. In developing control balance, Tittle critically reviews other general theories such as anomie, Marxian conflict, social control, differential association/social learning, labelling, and routine activities and offers reasons why those theories are insufficient. Using real-world examples to illustrate his argument, he contends that deviance results from the convergence of four variables, each of which represents an interactive nexus of several inputs, including most prominently a control imbalance. The variables are predisposition, motivation, opportunity, and constraint. Control balance theory also explains six basic types of deviance, ranging from predation, defiance, and submissiveness on one end of a control ratio continuum to exploitation, plunder, and decadence on the other. Tittle conceives of control balance as a continuation, or temporary culmination, of the collective efforts of crime/deviance scholars who have gone before, presenting it as a vehicle for trying to achieve a fully adequate general theory of deviance.

334 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 1995

Reviews

[morbidxmagpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Tittle proposes an interesting an useful theory of deviance, the strength of the book lies in its criticism of popular theories of crime causation and, even more importantly, his proposals for what makes good theory and how to build good theory. The field of criminal justice is stagnating because of our lack of ability to follow Tittle's advice. It is undoubtedly a book written by and for academics, but it makes an important contribution to the field and is worth reading for anyone truly interested in crime theory.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

another boring academic read.