Containment Theory

1. 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.

2. Much of the persons ability to resist crime rests with the person's self esteem. The self esteem comes from a comparison of self concept to the the persons ideal self.

3. If a person has strong internal controls, "ego strengths" then the person can resist external pressures to commit 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: restlesness, 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 affect that the peer group can have on a person.By following the peer group that participates in crime the person is pulled into crime.
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