ADVANCED INFO: Topic 3 (Forms of Social Control)

Question 1

Define social control

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Define internal social control

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Name the 4 areas of internal social control

Answer 3

Internalisation of social rules and morality
Rational ideology and rational choice theory
Moral conscience and superego
Cultural Traditions

Question 4

Define socialisation

Answer 4

The process of learning what behaviour is acceptable in society through social interaction (may be with teachers, parents and peers).

Question 5

Briefly explain internalisation of social rules and morality

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What happens if someone doesn’t conform to the internalisation of social rules and morality?

Answer 6

People who don’t internalise these rules of society become more likely to rebel against what is considered socially acceptable.

Question 7

Define rational ideology

Answer 7

Refers to correctly internalising society’s rules through effective socialisation, which is how we develop the ability to make rational decisions.

Question 8

Briefly describe Rational Choice Theory

Answer 8

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).

Question 9

According to Rational Choice Theory, why do people behave criminally?

Answer 9

Because they believe the benefits of committing a crime outweigh the potential cost of getting caught.

Question 10

Briefly describe Cultural Traditions

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

According to cultural traditions, why do people obey the law?

Answer 11

Because they value their cultural traditions and have mist likely been socialised with these traditions in mind, ultimately internalising them personally.

Question 12

Name the 3 areas of external social control

Answer 12

Agencies of social control
Fear of punishment and coercion
Control theory

Question 13

State the 5 agencies of social control

Answer 13

Family, peers, the education system, the military and the criminal justice system

Question 14

How does family maintain social control?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

How does the education system maintain social control?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

How do peers maintain social control?

Answer 16

Play an important role as the dynamic of your friendship and colleague groups can influence what is seen as acceptable/unacceptable.

Question 17

How does the military maintain social control?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

How does the criminal justice system maintain social control?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Describe coercion

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Describe fear of punishment

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What does Travis Hirschi say about why people want to conform to societies rules?

Answer 21

Hirschi argues that people want to conform because they are controlled by their bonds to society, which keep them from deviating.

Question 22

State the 4 elements of Hirschi’s control theory

Answer 22

Attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs

Question 23

Describe attachment in relation to Hirschi’s control theory

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Describe commitment in relation to Hirschi’s control theory

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Describe involvement in relation to Hirschi’s control theory

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Describe beliefs in relation to Hirschi’s control theory

Answer 26

If we have been socialised to believe that it is right to obey the law, we are less likely to break it.

Question 27

Name a theorist who supported Hirschi’s control theory

Answer 27

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.