Unit 4 2.1- Internal and External Social Control Flashcards
Internal Theories of Control (1) - Intro
Internal Theories of social control are controls that come from within ourselves, and lead us to conform to the rules of society as we view it as the right thing to do.
There are two aspects of ones uupringing that develop these views, peers and family, and tradition and culture.
Internal Theories of Control (2) -Theory
As we develop, Freud belies that as we develop, we form an internal sense of right and wrong, this is called a superego, this is called a superegoo. He believes its this is sociallised into us by family.
This develops into us being able to exercise self-control to urges deemed criminal or deviant.
Internal Theories of Control (3) - Application to why individual abide the law
Moreover, traditions and culture creates a sense of belonging within a society and have associatd values and norms we can identify witj
Conforming to these values allows for one to be accepted be accepted as a member of a culture. Through being socialised thrtough family and societal groups, their moral code can be intergrated into our own personal set of rules,
aligning us to confrom with society and obey the law
External Theories of Control (1) - Intro
External theories of control stem from wider society ang agencies tat aim to ensure we obey the law. One aspect of this theory are agencies of control utilising sanctions to impose social control.
External Theories of Control (2) - Theory
Skinner’s operant control theory believes that our behaviour is shaped by positive and negative reinforcement. If a behavior is rewarded, it’s more likely to be repeated, and if a behaviour is punished, it’s less likely to be repeated. This can be applied to criminality through negative sanctions, such as sending a disruptive student out of the classroom for breaking the rules, this is a form of negative reinforcement.
External Theories of Control (3) - Application to why indivudal abide the law
Another aspect of this is through the criminal justice system. The police, judges and prison service each have roles that deter and punish criminal behaviour. Coercion is using threats of force in order to make/stop someone doing something. This is utilised by these agencies by incorperating the fear of punishment for those who do not obey the law, through being a charge, arrested or trailed.
Control Theory (1) - Intro
Control theory is the third aspect of social control. It’s based on the question why people obey the law. Hirschi argues that there are 4 aspects that bind people to society. The first being one’s attachment to family and peers, as we care for other’s opinions of us and try not to break their norms in order to keep their opinion positive.
Control Theory (2) - Theory
The second is commitment a conventional lifestyle, if we get involved in crime, we risk losing this. This fear makes us more likely to conform. Thirdly, involvement into society, if we put more energy into law abiding activies e.g sports, we have less energy to spend commiting crimes. Finally, is beliefs, a society needs tobelieve that its right to obey the law to be less likely to break it.
Control Theory (3)- Application to why indivudal abide the law
Control theories emphasise the importance of parenting to prevent young people from offending. Gottfredson and Hirsch argued that low self-control is a result of inconsistent or absent parential dispiline. Moreover, Riley and Shaw found a lack in parental supervision is also an important factor in delinquency and crime.
