Abstract
Social bonding theory is a control theory built upon the assumption that people are inherently self‐interested; therefore, it seeks to explain why some people refrain from crime rather than engage in crime. The theory posits that offending behavior is caused by weakened or broken social bonds with law‐abiding people and institutions. Social bonds consist of four elements (attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief) and the presence of each element facilitates law‐abiding behavior. Social bonding theory caught the attention of theorists and researchers alike, resulting in a wide variety of empirical tests, heated debates, and theoretical growth. It is one of the more prominent control theories found in criminological literature.