(2) AC 2.1 - Explain forms of social control Flashcards
Internal forms of control.
They regulate our own behaviour in accordance with the accepted form.
Rational ideology.
Tradition.
Internalisation of social rules and morality.
External forms of control.
Outside influences that make us follow the rules and not commit crimes, these influences persuade/compel us to conform to the rules.
Examples: police (enforce laws), parents (grounded), prisons, CCTV.
Those who commit crimes are arrested by police.
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, police have powers of detention and interview.
If you face charges, other agencies (courts/prisons) will be involved in achieving social control.
They will use coercion and fear of punishment to ensure people abide by the law.
Coercion.
Fear of punishment.
Control theory.
Explains why people do not commit crimes.
Supports the view that people require nurturing in order to develop attachments or bongs that are key in producing internal controls (conscience).
Argues that crime is the result of insufficient attachment and commitment to others.
Reasons for abiding by the law.
Theorists: Walter C. Reckless, Travis Hirschi.
What is social control.
We encourage everyone in society to conform to the law and any course of action that achieves this is a form of social control.
It is an action that tries to persuade or compel members of society to conform to the rules.
Rational ideology.
Idea or belief to achieve social control.
Conscience (feelings of guilt/anxiety) guides you to follow laws or rules.
People have an idea of what is right and wrong, so abide by the law.
Internalisation of social norms and morality.
You know what is right and wrong based on social values on society (example: not queue jumping).
These are moral rules that you feel you must follow and feels wrong to break them.
Traditions.
Traditions may ensure that you conform to the rules.
Religion/culture or upbringing ensures that you do not break the law (fasting during Ramadan).
As you conform to traditions you are accepted as a member of society.
Coercion.
Can be physical (injury, imprisonment, death penalty).
Can be non-violent (strikes, boycotts, non-cooperation).
Prisons use coercion through the threat of a loss of liberty, could be through a suspended sentence or a continued threat of custody.
Fear of punishment.
2 types:
Individual deterrence - punishment imposed on offenders to prevent them from committing further cries (suspended sentence of conditional discharge, where there are further consequences for reoffending).
General deterrence - deters other people from committing similar crimes (lengthy prison sentences or heavy financial penalties). Known as ‘getting tough on crime’.
Examples of general deterrence - mandatory minimums (life sentence for murder, 7 years for 3trd drug offence), three strikes and you’re out - in the USA, a 3rd conviction for a violent crime will likely lead to a life sentence.
Walter C. Reckless.
Containment theory.
Argued we can resist committing crimes due to inner an outer containment.
Inner containment - upbringing and influence from family.
Outer containment - social groups and laws from society.
These internal psychological containments and external social containments prevent people from committing crimes.
Travis Hirschi.
People must form social bonds to prevent criminal behaviour.
4 bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, belief. These 4 bonds must be properly formed so someone did not have the propensity to commit crimes.
Claimed that positive attachment to parents, school and peer groups was important to promote good behaviour.
Positive future goals is also important as well as social activities, such as sports.
People need to believe in society’s rules and values, such as honesty and believing crime is wrong.
