AC 2.1 - Forms of Social Control Flashcards
What is Social Control? (2 points)
- 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
What is Internal Social Control? (2 points)
- 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
(Internal Social Control) What is Primary Socialisation? (3 points)
- First stage of socialisation
- Happens between the ages of 0-5 years
- Delivered by the family
(Internal Social Control) What is Secondary Socialisation? (3 points)
- Happens throughout life (ongoing)
- Has lots of different agents of socialisation
- E.G. Education, Peers, Laws/Government
What is Rational Ideology? (4 points)
- 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
What is the ‘go-to’ example for Rational Ideology?
(10 commandments of Christianity)
- “Thou shall not steal/kill” - Theft/Murder
What are Traditions? (4 points)
- 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
What is the ‘go-to’ example for Tradition?
”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
What is Internalisation of Social rules & morals? (2 points)
- 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
What is the ‘go-to’ example for Internalisation of Social rules & morals?
Respecting others - taught throughout our life and is internalised
What is External Social Control? (2 points)
- 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)
What is Coercion? (3 points)
- 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
What is the ‘go-to’ example for Coercion?
PACE (1984) - Establishes safeguards to prevent the use of evidence obtained via coercion - protects individuals from being compelled to provide false/unreliable information
(Coercion) What is Physical Coercion? (2 points)
- May take the form of bodily injury, imprisonment and death penalty
- Lowest form of social control
(Coercion) What is Non-violent Coercion? (3 points)
- Consists of strikes, boycotts, and non-cooperation
- E.G. Teacher strikes for better pay
- Can be a successful way of effecting social control
What is Fear of Punishment? (2 points)
- 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
(Fear of Punishment) What is Individual Deterrence? (2 points)
- Punishments imposed on offenders will “deter” or prevent them from committing further crimes
- E.G. tougher punishments for repeat offenders
(Fear of Punishment) What is General Deterrence? (2 points)
- Fear of punishment will prevent others from committing similar crimes
- E.G. Lengthy prison sentence or a large fine
What is the ‘go-to’ example for Fear of Punishment?
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
What is the Social Bond Theory? (4 points)
- 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
What are the 4 components of the Social Bond Theory? Give examples (Travis Hirschi loves his BACI)
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)
What is the Containment Theory by Walter C. Reckless? (2 points)
- He suggested that to commit crime the individual must break through inner & outer containment
- Inner containment = self-control & Outer containment = social control(s)
