AC2.1 Exam Practice

Question 1

Describe what is meant by internal social control (4 marks)

Answer 1

Internal forms of social control refers to the thoughts and beliefs we gain about values through different ways. These forms include tradition, rational ideology and internalisation. Tradition is related to our upbringing, alongside the possibility of religion. It conditions us to know what is right and wrong, so we do not commit crime due to us knowing how to behave. Rational ideology refers to individuals having an idea about what is right and wrong, their ability decide what actions are appropriate and which are not. Internalisation of social rules, similar to rational ideology, is about an individuals ability to understand the social values and what is unacceptable in society.

Question 2

Explain how the probation service act as an external form of social control (6 marks)

Answer 2

External forms of social control refer to the outside influences that encourage us to follow rules and not commit crime; it involves coercion and fear of punishment (deterrence). Coercion may be in the form of physical or non-violent actions, such as boycott, imprisonment, bodily injury or strike. The probation service may use coercion through several ways. A physical technique the probation service may use includes being required to attend an educational course, or drug rehabilitation. Fear of punishment is another way the probation service use external social control as to threaten offenders with the loss of liberty. Individual deterrence, directed towards the offender to prevent reoffending, may include probation orders that recalls the offender back to prison should they breach the terms of their order. To ensure they attend these courses, a non-violent technique of coercion may be used such as electronic tagging, as probation orders can often include curfews or staying in a particular area. They also use general deterrence to encourage other offenders to not reoffend, such as witnessing the consequences if they do reoffend. The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 introduced mandatory life sentences for second serious offences, an example of general deterrence that the probation service deal with. Walter C. Reckless proposed a theory called containment, and claimed outer containment comes from the influences of social groups and laws of society. The probation service create outer containment onto offenders on probation as a way to avoid reoffend.

Note: The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 is not in this topic, it’s from AC1.1, I found it fitting with the question

Question 3

Explain what is meant by external forms of social control (6 marks)

Answer 3

• What is external forms of social control (the definition)
• List the forms and explain them
• Include a relevant theory