AC 2.1 - Forms of Social Control

Question 1

What is Social Control? (2 points)

Answer 1

• The ways which people’s behaviour are regulated in social systems
• Involves forms or pressures to persuade or compel members of society to conform to the rules

Question 2

What is Internal Social Control? (2 points)

Answer 2

• Lies within the individual and is developed during socialisation
• Our conscience controls us and ensures we conform to the rules because our sense of self-respect demands so

Question 3

(Internal Social Control) What is Primary Socialisation? (3 points)

Answer 3

• First stage of socialisation
• Happens between the ages of 0-5 years
• Delivered by the family

Question 4

(Internal Social Control) What is Secondary Socialisation? (3 points)

Answer 4

• Happens throughout life (ongoing)
• Has lots of different agents of socialisation
• E.G. Education, Peers, Laws/Government

Question 5

What is Rational Ideology? (4 points)

Answer 5

• When people within a society accept the ruling ideology
• Religious codes of behaviour used to be followed, but were then replaced by legal frameworks & systems which were more formal and persuasive
• Laws are there to standardise what is acceptable for all members of society
• Eventually, everyone understands the rational reasoning and internalises the rules

Question 6

What is the ‘go-to’ example for Rational Ideology?

Answer 6

(10 commandments of Christianity)

• “Thou shall not steal/kill” - Theft/Murder

Question 7

What are Traditions? (4 points)

Answer 7

• Transmission of customs & beliefs from generation to generation
• Overtime, we accept these traditions as a part of our self-identity

Institutions that instil these traditions:
• Family = Politeness/Manners, reinforced by consequences, E.G. washing mouth out with soap

• Education = Respect, reinforced by consequences, E.G. detention

Question 8

What is the ‘go-to’ example for Tradition?

Answer 8

”Not harming any living creature” (Ahimsa, Buddhism)

• Can be applied to a range of behaviour that is violent or harmful, i.e offences against the person - E.G. GBH

Question 9

What is Internalisation of Social rules & morals? (2 points)

Answer 9

• Knowing what is right or wrong based upon social values
• Happens after accepting or absorbing an idea, opinion or belief so it becomes part of our character

Question 10

What is the ‘go-to’ example for Internalisation of Social rules & morals?

Answer 10

Respecting others - taught throughout our life and is internalised

Question 11

What is External Social Control? (2 points)

Answer 11

• Society has external forces of social control that aim to ensure we conform to expectations and keep to its rules
• This is done through agencies of control (E.G. Government, Teachers, Family)

Question 12

What is Coercion? (3 points)

Answer 12

• The use of force to achieve a desired end
• May be physical or non-violent
• It is the ultimate means of social control when all other means fail

Question 13

What is the ‘go-to’ example for Coercion?

Answer 13

PACE (1984) - Establishes safeguards to prevent the use of evidence obtained via coercion - protects individuals from being compelled to provide false/unreliable information

Question 14

(Coercion) What is Physical Coercion? (2 points)

Answer 14

• May take the form of bodily injury, imprisonment and death penalty
• Lowest form of social control

Question 15

(Coercion) What is Non-violent Coercion? (3 points)

Answer 15

• Consists of strikes, boycotts, and non-cooperation
• E.G. Teacher strikes for better pay
• Can be a successful way of effecting social control

Question 16

What is Fear of Punishment? (2 points)

Answer 16

• When an individual’s behaviour is controlled by the fear of the punishment that would be imposed if they break the law
• The idea is that the punishment will act as a deterrent to the individual and force them to obey the law

Question 17

(Fear of Punishment) What is Individual Deterrence? (2 points)

Answer 17

• Punishments imposed on offenders will “deter” or prevent them from committing further crimes
• E.G. tougher punishments for repeat offenders

Question 18

(Fear of Punishment) What is General Deterrence? (2 points)

Answer 18

• Fear of punishment will prevent others from committing similar crimes
• E.G. Lengthy prison sentence or a large fine

Question 19

What is the ‘go-to’ example for Fear of Punishment?

Answer 19

The sentence for murder is a life sentence, but can go up to a whole life order - which would deter people as they do not wish to lose their freedom for such a long period time

Question 20

What is the Social Bond Theory? (4 points)

Answer 20

• All human beings suffer from weaknesses which makes them potentially unable to resist temptation & turn to crime
• But there are social bonds with others (E.G. family, peers) that encourage them to exercise self-control
• These social bonds tie individuals to conformity & restrain them from committing crime
• If these social bonds weaken or break, an individual’s self-control is weakened, they will turn to crime

Question 21

What are the 4 components of the Social Bond Theory? Give examples (Travis Hirschi loves his BACI)

Answer 21

Attachment: Strong social attachments encourage conformity - E.G. Parents, Friends, Partner

Commitment: The stronger the commitment to conventional goals, the greater the conformity - E.G. College, Future employment

Involvement: Involvement in legitimate activities - E.G. Gym

Belief: Strong moral beliefs and respect for authority restrain tendencies towards deviance - E.G. Respect (not steal)

Question 22

What is the Containment Theory by Walter C. Reckless? (2 points)

Answer 22

• He suggested that to commit crime the individual must break through inner & outer containment
• Inner containment = self-control & Outer containment = social control(s)