social control Flashcards
social control
when individual/group behaviour is regulated, they comply with social norms
can be a conscious decision by leaders to elicit desired behaviours from a society
what are the two goals of science
prediction
control
why is important to understand behaviours in psychology
so we can then predict what behaviour may occur and control it
when is it acceptable to use social control in psych
when treatments give a person individual control, so they can have improved quality of life
what are the areas for consideration in social control
power of therapist - determining what behaviour is acceptable and forcing someone to comply to norms may cause stress and relapse
who decides whether a person needs therapy - issue of individual’s freedom
what factors may affect levels of social control
- obedience e.g. genocide
- biological e.g. individuals inherently different as behaviour is seen as predetermined
- holism e.g. individual’s behaviour not only determined by social factors
- mental health treatment e.g. more individual control
strengths of social control
- controlling crowd behaviour to help a minority group
- controlling anti-social behaviour
negatives of social control
- some individuals may be forced onto treatment programmes e.g. under the Mental Health Act a patient can be sectioned and forced to take medication, violent male offenders may have to undergo hormone therapy
negative social control
shown by disapproval, ridicule, punishment
positive social control
shown through rewards and approval
French and Raven’s 5 types of power
legitimate power
reward power
expert power
referent power
coercive power
legitimate power
person has formal right to make demands e.g. doctors/probation officers
reward power
ability to reward another person for complying
expert power
high level of skills and knowledge, suggested treatment is trusted
referent power
perceived attractiveness, worthiness and right to respect others
coercive power
can punish others for non-compliance
how to evaluate social control
- do we have a right to change behaviour?
- control (temporary) or cure (permanent)?
- effectiveness and long-term gain
- power and abuse of it, safeguarding
