[Fraud Risk Management] According to social control theory, which of the following questions are people MOST LIKELY to ask themselves when considering the possibility of violating the law?

Social control theory, particularly as formulated by Travis Hirschi, posits that individuals refrain from deviance and crime because of their bond to conventional society. This bond consists of four elements: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. The question, "What will my parents think if they find out?" directly addresses the element of attachment, which refers to the strength of an individual's emotional ties to significant others, such as family and friends. According to the theory, the fear of disappointing these individuals and damaging these crucial relationships is a primary informal control that prevents law-breaking behavior.

A. "How can I prevent someone from learning what I did?" This question relates to the perceived opportunity and risk of detection, which are central concepts in rational choice theory, not the social bonds emphasized by social control theory.
B. "How likely am I to be punished for this crime?" This reflects deterrence theory, which focuses on the certainty, severity, and celerity of formal, legal punishments as the primary mechanism for preventing crime.
C. "Will I lose my job if my actions are discovered?" This question pertains to the element of commitment—the investment one has in a conventional life (e.g., a career). While part of social control theory, attachment to people is considered a more foundational emotional deterrent.

1. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). (2023). Fraud Examiners Manual, International Edition. Section 1: Criminology and Ethics, pp. 1.113-1.114. The manual explains Hirschi's social control theory, stating, "Attachment refers to the extent to which an individual has strong bonds to others... The stronger the attachment... the less likely the person is to violate societal norms." It explicitly links this concept to the influence of family and friends.

2. Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press. pp. 16-19. In his foundational work, Hirschi defines attachment as the "social bond" and the internalization of norms through affection for others. He argues that sensitivity to the opinion of others, particularly parents, is a core aspect of this element.

3. Pratt, T. C., & Cullen, F. T. (2000). The Empirical Status of Gottfredson and Hirschi's General Theory of Crime: A Meta-Analysis. Criminology, 38(3), 931–964. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2000.tb00911.x This peer-reviewed article analyzes social control theory, reinforcing that attachment to parents is a significant and consistent predictor of conformity, illustrating the importance of the question posed in option D.