Ac 2.1: Explain Forms Of Social Control Flashcards
What is the definition of social control?
People are persuaded to conform to social norms, laws and expectations.
What is internal social control?
Controls over our behaviour from within ourselves - personalities, values etc.
What is external social control?
Controls over our behaviour through social agencies - education, family etc.
What is Freud’s psychoanalytic theory?
We confirm to society’s expectations and obey its rules because of our superego.
What is the role of the superego?
Tells us what is right and wrong and inflicts guilt feelings on us if we fail to do as it urges.
What is the superego part of?
Our personality
When does the superego develop? And what does it do?
Develops through early socialisation and tells us how to behave
If the ego and superego didn’t exist what would our behaviour be like?
Ruled by the id, leading to anti-social and criminal behaviour
What is the definition of socialisation?
Internalising rules through socialising, whether from our parents or wider society’s rules, religion, school and peer groups. Society’s rules and moral code become our own.
What is meant by rational ideology?
We internalise social rules and use them to tell us what is right and wrong, allowing us to keep within the laws.
The criminal justice system contains several agencies of social control, what are these?
The police, the CPS, judges and magistrates, the prison service
What are the powers of the police?
Stop and search, arrest, detain and question
What are the powers of the CPS?
Charge suspects and prosecute them in court
What are the powers of judges and magistrates?
Bail or remand in custody, sentence to variety of punishments
What are the powers of the prison service?
Detain prisoners against their will for the duration of their sentence, punish prisoners for misbehaviour
What is meant by coercion?
Involves the use of threat of force in order to make someone do (or stop doing) something.
Other than coercion, what is another way of trying to achieve social control?
Fear of punishment - punishment may act as a deterrent
Who came up with the idea of control theory?
Travis Hirschi
What does Hirschi argue in his control theory?
People conform to the law because they are controlled by their bonds to society, which keeps them from deviating
When does Hirschi say delinquent acts occur?
When and individuals bond to society is weak or broken
What four elements does Hirschi say the individuals bond to society is made up of?
Commitment
Attachment
Beliefs
Involvement
What is meant by commitment in control theory?
If you are committed to a conventional lifestyle, the less likely you are to risk it through crime.
What is meant by attachment in control theory?
The more we are attached to somebody, the more we value their opinions and follow their norms and rules
What is meant by beliefs in control theory?
If we have been socialised to learn that breaking rules is bad then we are more likely to follow the rules
What is meant by involvement in control theory?
If you involve yourself in law abiding tasks, the less time you have to involve yourself in criminal tasks
What do Riley and shaw claim in control theory?
Lack of parental supervision is an important factor in delinquency
What does delinquency mean?
Minor crime, especially committed by young people
What did Walter Reckless develop in control theory?
Containment theory
What does reckless argue in his containment theory?
Argues we all have psychological tendencies that can lead to criminality
What is internal containment?
Effective socialisation helps us build the self control to resist the temptation to offend.
What is external containment?
External controls, such as parental discipline, prevent us from deviating from the norm
What does Reckless believe about juvenile delinquency?
Commonly arises from a breakdown in moral and social forces that otherwise “contain” deviant behaviour
What does Heidensohn argue about feminists in control theory?
Argues that patriarchal society controls females more closely
Why is it harder for women to offend in a patriarchal society?
They spend more time in domestic duties which leaves less opportunity to engage in criminality outside home
What did Pat Carlen find?
Females who do offend had often failed to form attachment to parents due to abuse in family or growing up in care
