Chicago Police Department (CPD) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPD Practice Questions and Study Guide

Control Theory primarily seeks to explain why individuals refrain from committing crimes rather than why they choose to engage in criminal behavior. The theory posits that the strength of an individual’s bond to society influences their propensity to commit deviant acts. According to Control Theory, several factors contribute to these bonds, including attachment to family and friends, commitment to conventional activities (such as education or work), involvement in community and social activities, and belief in social norms and values.

When these bonds are strong, individuals are less likely to engage in criminal behavior because they have more to lose, such as relationships, status, or opportunities. Therefore, Control Theory emphasizes the role of socialization and the ways in which societal structures and relationships help prevent individuals from acting on impulses that might lead to criminal activity. Other options relate to aspects of crime but do not capture the essence of Control Theory in explaining the reasons behind non-criminal behavior.