If external controls weaken, containment theory argues that control of crime must depend on what?

• A. Internal restraints (e.g., conscience)
• B. Increased surveillance
• C. Economic incentives
• D. Peer pressure

Answer: (A)

When external controls weaken, internal restraints become the key factor in preventing crime. Containment theory argues that a person’s inner regulation—conscience, self-control, and a stable self-concept—acts as the primary buffer against deviant impulses when outer supervision or sanctions are not as strong. Inner restraints help someone resist crime even in the absence of strict external controls. External factors like surveillance, economic incentives, or peer pressure are not the mechanism that maintains conformity when outer controls fade; they operate outside the individual, whereas internal restraints are the internal compass the theory emphasizes.