A.C 3.2 Flashcards
What is the overall role of agencies of social control?
Agencies of social control are institutions or groups that regulate behavior within society. Their contribution involves enforcing laws, promoting societal norms, and maintaining order to ensure that individuals conform to socially accepted behaviors and values.
How do the police contribute to social control?
The police enforce the law, maintain public order, prevent crime, and investigate violations. By doing so, they contribute to formal social control, acting as a deterrent to criminal behavior and ensuring compliance with societal rules.
How does the judiciary (courts) contribute to social control?
The judiciary contributes to social control by interpreting the law, adjudicating disputes, and imposing sanctions on offenders. Courts uphold the rule of law by determining guilt and administering appropriate punishment or rehabilitation, ensuring accountability.
How do prisons contribute to social control?
Prisons contribute to social control by incapacitating offenders and keeping them away from society to prevent further crime. They also attempt rehabilitation through educational programs and therapy to reduce recidivism and encourage reintegration into society.
How does the government contribute to social control?
The government creates and enforces laws, establishes policies, and funds institutions like the police, courts, and prisons. By regulating behavior through legislation, the government provides the framework for formal social control in society.
How does the family contribute to social control?
The family plays a key role in informal social control by teaching values, morals, and acceptable behavior from a young age. Parents set boundaries, guide their children’s actions, and encourage conformity to social norms through positive reinforcement and discipline.
How do schools contribute to social control?
Schools contribute to social control by teaching students the rules, norms, and values of society. Schools provide structure, discipline, and socialization, preparing students to function appropriately in society and reinforcing behaviors aligned with social expectations.
How does social media contribute to social control?
Social media can influence social control by shaping public opinion and social norms. Through online discussions, campaigns, and trends, it reinforces what is considered acceptable or deviant behavior, offering a platform for social pressure and collective accountability.
How do peer groups contribute to social control?
Peer groups help enforce informal social control by influencing behavior through peer pressure, group norms, and expectations. Peers can encourage conformity to social rules and deter deviant behavior through social sanctions, such as exclusion or criticism.
How does the media contribute to social control?
The media shapes societal attitudes by influencing how we view crime and punishment. Through news coverage, documentaries, and entertainment, the media highlights acceptable behavior and criminal actions, reinforcing social norms and influencing public opinion on deviant behavior.
How do local communities contribute to social control?
Local communities maintain social control through collective monitoring of behavior and shared norms. Neighbors and community members may intervene in minor offenses, offer informal sanctions, and work together to promote public safety and discourage crime.
How do social services contribute to social control?
Social services contribute by providing support to vulnerable individuals or those at risk of offending, such as through rehabilitation programs for addicts or family counseling for at-risk children. They work to prevent deviance and promote positive social behavior.
How does religion contribute to social control?
Religion contributes to social control by promoting ethical behavior, moral values, and adherence to religious laws. Religious teachings shape individuals’ understanding of right and wrong, helping to regulate behavior and encourage conformity to social norms.
How do civil society organizations contribute to social control?
Civil society organizations (e.g., charities, advocacy groups) contribute to social control by promoting social justice, providing services to prevent crime, advocating for policy change, and helping individuals reintegrate into society, thereby encouraging positive social behavior.
How does surveillance contribute to social control?
Surveillance systems (e.g., CCTV, monitoring software, and tracking systems) act as a form of social control by deterring criminal behavior. The knowledge of being watched influences individuals to conform to societal expectations and laws to avoid detection and punishment.
How do welfare programs contribute to social control?
Welfare programs help maintain social control by providing financial support and services to individuals in need. By addressing poverty, housing issues, and unemployment, they reduce social strain, helping individuals avoid resorting to crime and encouraging social stability.
How does the criminal justice system contribute to social control?
The criminal justice system contributes to social control by investigating and punishing criminal behavior. The police, courts, and prisons act as agencies to prevent crime, ensure justice, and protect public safety by holding offenders accountable.
How does restorative justice contribute to social control?
Restorative justice promotes social control by encouraging offenders to take responsibility for their actions and make amends with victims. It focuses on repairing harm, fostering accountability, and rehabilitating offenders, helping to reintegrate them into society.
How does rehabilitation contribute to social control?
Rehabilitation contributes to social control by addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior, such as addiction or mental health issues. Programs that provide therapy, education, and vocational training aim to change offenders’ behavior, reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
How do laws contribute to social control?
Laws are essential to formal social control, providing clear guidelines for acceptable behavior. They establish legal consequences for deviant actions, ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their behavior, thus maintaining social order and reducing criminal activity.
