17237. The Social Bond Theory and the Self-Control Theory. This paper discusses Hirschi’s view that the four elements of ‘social bonds’ play a role in preventing crime. Hirschi’s social bond theory of crime is compared with the view of Gottfredson and Hirschi regarding the role of ‘self-control’ in crime reduction. The basic similarities between the social bond and self-control theories of crime are described. Keywords: crime theory child development parental attachment. 5 pages; 7 footnotes; 5 bibliographic sources. 1,317 words.