AC2.1 Forms of Social Control

Question 1

How does imprisonment act as an external form of social control?

Answer 1

• Enforcing societal norms and laws through deterrence, retribution and societal protection.
• Deters crime by discouraging society from offending and by preventing reoffending through fear of punishment.
• Ensures public safety through incapacitating offenders, serves as retribution, reinforces societal values.
• Can aim to rehabilitate offenders through education and therapy, effectiveness debated.

Question 2

Internal forms of social control

Answer 2

• Rational ideology - making decisions based on reason and logic eg. choosing not to steal as understand the harm it causes others and consequence to society.
• Tradition - customs and practices that guide behaviour, “it’s the way things have always been done” eg. Celebrating national holidays even with no laws.
• Internalisation of social rules and morality - follow and internalise rules without being told, sense of what is morally right and wrong eg. feeling guilty about lying as it is wrong, to due to fear of punishment.