Like Merton and Sutherland,control theorists seek the cause of deviance directly by asking,"What causes deviance?"

Control Theorists

Scholars who focus on understanding how societal norms and relationships influence individuals' propensity to engage in or abstain from deviant behaviors.

Merton

Robert K. Merton was an influential American sociologist known for his theories on social structure and anomie.

Sutherland

An American sociologist, Edwin H. Sutherland is famous for developing the Differential Association theory, emphasizing that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions.