ADVANCED INFO: Topic 3 (Forms of Social Control) Flashcards
Define social control
Social control relates to persuading or compelling people to conform to society’s laws, norms and expectations. It is how society controls our behaviour, so we abide by the law.
Define internal social control
Controls over our behaviour that come from within ourselves, also referred to as our conscience. They are forms of self control that lead us to conform in society, because we feel it is the right thing to do.
Name the 4 areas of internal social control
Internalisation of social rules and morality
Rational ideology and rational choice theory
Moral conscience and superego
Cultural Traditions
Define socialisation
The process of learning what behaviour is acceptable in society through social interaction (may be with teachers, parents and peers).
Briefly explain internalisation of social rules and morality
We internalise the rules that society sets out and this becomes our own internal rule book/moral code. The rules of society become our own rules and morals, therefore we automatically abide by the rules of society.
What happens if someone doesn’t conform to the internalisation of social rules and morality?
People who don’t internalise these rules of society become more likely to rebel against what is considered socially acceptable.
Define rational ideology
Refers to correctly internalising society’s rules through effective socialisation, which is how we develop the ability to make rational decisions.
Briefly describe Rational Choice Theory
RCT suggests that humans or rational beings, who weigh up the cost and reward of an action, when deciding how to behave (pros vs cons).
According to Rational Choice Theory, why do people behave criminally?
Because they believe the benefits of committing a crime outweigh the potential cost of getting caught.
Briefly describe Cultural Traditions
The culture we belong to becomes part of us and the way we behave through socialisation. We come to accept the norms, values and traditions of the culture as part of our identity.
According to cultural traditions, why do people obey the law?
Because they value their cultural traditions and have mist likely been socialised with these traditions in mind, ultimately internalising them personally.
Name the 3 areas of external social control
Agencies of social control
Fear of punishment and coercion
Control theory
State the 5 agencies of social control
Family, peers, the education system, the military and the criminal justice system
How does family maintain social control?
First place where you are socialised and where you are first taught what is acceptable/unacceptable. Family directly influences you with values, traditions and moral codes that direct your sense of right and wrong going forward.
How does the education system maintain social control?
A significant form of social control, not only are you being taught a wide range of knowledge about the world, but how to obey disciplinary procedures and understanding the importance of social control.
How do peers maintain social control?
Play an important role as the dynamic of your friendship and colleague groups can influence what is seen as acceptable/unacceptable.
How does the military maintain social control?
Seen as a symbol of social control because it acts on behalf of the state to carry out actions in line with formal law, but can also be deployed to compel compliance using physical force.
How does the criminal justice system maintain social control?
Enacts control over society but punishing those who break formal laws which support social control. These serve to act as a deterrent to engaging in criminal behaviour.
Describe coercion
Used by agencies of social control to force individuals to abide by the law- this is normally at the point when an individual has already committed offences, and therefore we must intervene and make them follow the rules of society.
Describe fear of punishment
Used to try and deter individuals committing offences . This simply means that the punishment for a criminal act should be severe enough that the idea of experiencing the punishment scares the potential offender enough not to commit the act.
What does Travis Hirschi say about why people want to conform to societies rules?
Hirschi argues that people want to conform because they are controlled by their bonds to society, which keep them from deviating.
State the 4 elements of Hirschi’s control theory
Attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs
Describe attachment in relation to Hirschi’s control theory
The more attached we are to people in society (especially teachers, parents, etc), the more we care about their opinion. Therefore, we obey the law to please them and respect their norms.
Describe commitment in relation to Hirschi’s control theory
The more committed we are to conventional goals (e.g. getting a good job, an education etc.), the more we risk if we risk if we were to get involved in crime, so we are more likely to want to conform.
Describe involvement in relation to Hirschi’s control theory
The more involved with conventional, law abiding activities (e.g. studying/sport), the less energy we will have to get involved in crime. E.g. the concept of youth clubs.
Describe beliefs in relation to Hirschi’s control theory
If we have been socialised to believe that it is right to obey the law, we are less likely to break it.
Name a theorist who supported Hirschi’s control theory
Riley and Shaw- found that lack of parental supervision was an important factor in delinquency , stating that parents should involve themselves in teenagers lives, spend time with them, and take an interest in what activities they participate in.
