Theory Database - Theory 10: Containment Theory

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 10: Containment Theory

Number of Constructs: 21
Number of Triples: 20

Theory triples

External environment influences Outer containment

Outer containment influences (*) Deviant behaviour

Inner containment influences (*) Deviant behaviour

Self-control part of Inner containment

Self-concept part of Inner containment

Ego strength part of Inner containment

Superego part of Inner containment

Frustration tolerance part of Inner containment

Goal orientation part of Inner containment

Ability to find substitute satisfactions part of Inner containment

Tension-reducing rationalisations part of Inner containment

Opportunity for acceptance, identity, and belonging part of Outer containment

Safety valves part of Outer containment

Limits and responsibilities part of Outer containment

Supervision and discipline part of Outer containment

Social expectations part of Outer containment

Presentation of consistent moral front part of Outer containment

Institutional reinforcement of norms, goals, expectations part of Outer containment

Theory illustration

Theory Reference

Reckless, W. (1961). A New Theory of Delinquency and Crime. Federal Probation Journal, 25, 42-46.

Theory Database (prototype)