2.1- Explain forms of social punishment Flashcards
three main internal forms of social control
moral conscious or superego, tradition and culture, internalization of social rules and morality (of the previous two)
four main external forms of social control
agencies of social control, the criminal justice system, coercion, fear of punishment
what is the definition of social control?
persuading people or compelling people to conform to societies norms, laws and expectations. Internal or external forms
main points of moral conscious and super ego as forms of social control
-Freuds psychoanalytic theory that superego (morality principle) is part of our unconscious and influences our decisions along with our ID and ego.
-tells us what is right or wrong, and guilt
-self control
-stems from a younger age from parental influences and stops us following our id which may lead to anti social or criminal behavior
tradition and culture as a form or internal social control
-our culture becomes part of us through socialization and we follow norms and traditions as part of our identity. E.g. religious beliefs such as fasting are followed by Muslims.
-It is essential for being accepted as part of a community
internalization of social rules and morality as a form of internal social control
both super ego and tradition become parts of our inner self. Both start external however, e.g. parents influence.
-SOCIALISATION: in both forms we are socialized and conform to societies standards
-RATIONAL IDEOLOGY: describes the fact that we internalize social rules and use them to tell us what is write or wrong, enabling us to stick to the law
agencies of social control as a form of external social control:
-organisations or institutions that impose rules on us in an effort to make us behave in certain ways. E.g. family. Negative and positive consequences can influence behavior. E.g’ Skinner
The criminal justice system as a form of external social control:
-several agencies of social control that can enforce legal sanctions
E.g.
Police: arrest search detain etc
CPS: charge and prosecute
Judges and Magistrates: bail and remand in custody
Prison service: detain prisoners
All these are negative bu they also how positive e.g. lower sentences for good behavior.
Coercion as a form of external social control:
- use of threat and force to make someone do or not do something. Can be physical or psychological.
-sentences are a form of coercion
fear of punishment as a form of external social control:
-makes people conform to laws.
-form of coercion
-deterrence: some theorists e.g. right realists argue that it stops many would-be criminals from obeying the law.
What do control theorists study?
why do people obey the law? Most common answer given says people conform as they are controlled by their bonds to society.
Five elements of an individuals bonds to society as suggested by Hirschi:
Attachment: The more we are attached the more we are likely to care about their opinion and not want to break etc.
Commitment: Goals such as succeeding in life and getting a job. Don’t want to risk loosing it.
Involvement: law abiding activities e.g. sports and studying, less time and energy for criminal ones.
Beliefs: socialized to believe we have to obey the law
Parenting: Absent parenting can lead to delinquency, as bonds are what stop us from committing crimes
Other control theorists ( Riley and Shaw) put forward the idea that:
lack of parental supervision was an important factor. They argue parents should:
-involve themselves in their teens life and spend time with them
-take an interest in what they do at school and how they spend time with their friends
-show strong disapproval of criminal behavior and explain the consequences of it
What does Walter Reckless propose (parenting and socialization)
we have psychological tendencies to be criminal but effective socialization can provide internal containment by building self control. Parental control can provide external containment
Feminists control theory
explanation of women’s low rates on offending: patriarchal societies monitor women more closely making it harder for them to offend. E.g domestic duties. Observation found females who offend tend to not have an attachment with their parents
