Chapter 6: Social Institutions

Question 1

What are social institutions? What is an example?

Answer 1

Shape values & beliefs, maintain order and help society function efficiently. The usually have existed for a long time (ex. marriage, school).

Question 2

Define personal and impersonal institutions.

Answer 2

Personal institutions; affect individuals’ lives intimately ex. family
Impersonal institutions; affect activities and behaviour of a large group of people ex. the government.

Question 3

Define total institutions. Give an example.

Answer 3

institutions such as prisons that are designed to give individuals new, positive socialization experiences to replace the negative results of their prior socialization.

Question 4

What are 3 goals of total institutions?

Answer 4

to rehabilitate, resocialize & re-educate people (ex. jail, rehab)

Question 5

Define institutionalization.

Answer 5

the process whereby a person’s ability to make decisions and live independently is destroyed because he or she has lived in a strictly controlled environment for too long

Question 6

What is the Criminal Justice System?

Answer 6

a social control mechanism that deals with individuals acting unacceptably

Question 7

What are the 3 components of the CJS? What are their purposes?

Answer 7

• Law enforcement agencies (front lines): protect society, to prevent crimes and to apprehend criminals
• The courts: processes people charged by police with a criminal offence
• Correctional agencies & institutions: punishes offenders (deterrence and retribution), provides rehabilitation to prevent the recurrence of a crime, and protects the public