Containment Theory In Brief
Dr. Michelle Beshears
Containment Theory is an explanation as to why we do not commit crimes. This approach tries to explain that both social (external) and psychological (internal) forces work together to keep criminal behaviors in check.
1. Much of the person’s ability to resist crime rests with the person’s self-esteem. The self-esteem comes from a comparison of self-concept to the person’s ideal self.
2. If a person has strong internal controls, “ego strengths” then the person can resist external pressures to commit a crime. If the person has weak internal controls but has strong external controls then such as a law-abiding peer group and family, then the person will also resist crime. The types of pressures are as follows:
- Internal Pushes: restlessness, anger, rebellion, anxiety, and other negative emotional states.
- External Pushes: These are limitations on one’s ability to succeed in life. Examples can be poverty, unemployment, lack of school, discrimination.
- External Pulls: This is primarily the negative effect that the peer group can have on a person. By following the peer group that participates in crime the person is pulled into crime.
It is important to understand the elements of the social bond. Hirschi describes 4 elements to the social bond:
- Attachment: Attachment refers to a person’s shared interests with others.
- Commitment: This is the amount of energy and effort put into activities with others
- Involvement: The amount of time spent with others in shared activities.
- Belief: This refers to shared value and moral system.
The conditions that appear to be required to be in place are those environmental influence that one is surrounded by in their daily lives, as well as those that may impact on forming the individual’s belief system, as to what is right or wrong.
Dr. Michelle Beshears
Dr. Beshears has earned two baccalaureate degrees one in social psychology and another in criminal justice. She also has two graduate degrees one in human resource development and another in criminology from Indiana State University. She has also earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Northcentral University. Dr. Beshears served in the U.S. Army for 11 years. She obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia where she earned her commission. As a commissioned officer. Dr. Beshears has led numerous criminal investigations and worked with several external agencies as well. As a civilian, she has worked with the local sheriff’s department, state drug task force and FBI. Dr. Beshears resides with her husband Dr. Michael Beshears, their son Hunter, and daughter Malia near Norfork and Bull Shoals Lakes, in Clarkridge, Arkansas. She also has three beautiful grown stepdaughters, Michele, Cora, and Mollye.
