What does outer containment refer to in the context of containment theory?

Outer containment refers to the social pressures and expectations that help regulate behavior and prevent individuals from engaging in deviant acts. In containment theory, developed by Walter Reckless, the concept is divided into two categories: inner containment and outer containment. While inner containment involves personal attributes such as self-control, self-esteem, and a strong conscience, outer containment focuses on the social environment surrounding an individual.

This social environment includes factors such as familial supervision, community support, social norms, and collective expectations, which collectively act to deter individuals from committing crimes. For instance, the presence of a strong, supportive community can encourage individuals to adhere to societal norms and discourage deviant behavior through informal social control.

In contrast, personal motivations and goals, legal constraints and regulations, and self-reflection and awareness relate more to individual factors and internal processes, which do not encompass the broader societal context encompassed by outer containment.