Social control 10 marker

Question 1

Definition example

Answer 1

For example, the police are a formal agent of social control and deal with individuals that break the laws of society, whilst the family are an informal agent and sanction individuals that deviate from the norms.

Question 2

Definition

Answer 2

Social control refers to the ways a society controls behaviours and ensures that individuals conform to the norms and laws of society. There are many agents of social control and they can either be formal or informal.

Question 3

According to functionalists

Answer 3

According to the Functionalists the formal agents of social control are doing a good job in society as they are fair in their approach.

Question 4

Durkheim argues

Answer 4

Durkheim argues that social control is essential in maintaining social order. By reinforcing shared norms and values, it contributes to social cohesion.

Question 5

Interactionists on the other hand

Answer 5

Interactionists on the other hand believe that the formal agents of social control have an image of the typical offender and as a result are biased in their approach.

Question 6

Interactionists example

Answer 6

For example, when arriving at the crime scene of Stephen Lawrence’s murder the police suspected Stephen’s best friend due to him fitting the notion of the typical offender, this allowed his murders to actually leave the crime scene.

Question 7

Marxists believe

Answer 7

Marxists believe social control is biased.

Question 8

Gordon

Answer 8

Gordon sees social control as a tool used by the ruling class to suppress the working class. Institutions like the police and courts serve to maintain capitalist interests by criminalising the poor whilst overlooking the crimes of the elite.

Question 9

Marxists example.

Answer 9

For example, white collar crime and corporate crime are rarely detected as the police tend to patrol working class areas.