What role does social control theory play in understanding why some athletes engage in deviance?

• A. It suggests deviance is driven by individual choice without social influence.
• B. It holds that deviance is caused by structural inequality alone.
• C. It posits that stronger bonds to family, team, and community reduce deviant behavior; weaker bonds increase risk.
• D. It claims punishment deters all deviance.

Answer: (C)

Social control theory emphasizes the power of social bonds to regulate behavior. In sport, athletes who feel strong attachments to family, teammates, coaches, and the broader community are more likely to internalize the norms and expectations of their group. These connections create informal controls: belonging, trust, and commitment to the team encourage conformity, while the potential loss of status, playing time, or relationships provides a disincentive to deviation. When bonds are strong, deviating from rules or ethical standards poses risks to important relationships and positions within the team, making deviant acts less likely. When bonds are weak, those regulatory pressures ease, and the chance of engaging in deviance increases as social costs of misconduct rise.

So, the best description is that stronger bonds to family, team, and community reduce deviant behavior; weaker bonds increase risk.