UNIT 4 AC 2.1 NOTES EXPLAIN FORMS OF SOCIAL CONTROL Flashcards
Explain the meanings of values and norms
Values: beliefs about right and wrong in society
Norms accepted patterns of behaviour in any given society.
What is the definition of social control?
A strategy that prevents deviant behaviour from occurring by encouraging individuals to follow the social norms and values of society as well as laws. This means social rules are implemented.
Explain what internal forms of social control is?
Internal forms of social control (IFOS) refer to how individuals are impacted by early socialisation and abide by societal rules that were taught to them. IFOS allows a person to accept traditions and culture as a part of their identity and conform to such standards e.g. stealing is a sin in certain religions. Therefore, some actions are looked down upon and are seen as deviant which prevents crime from occurring.
Theories to support this:
Moral consciousness by Freud:
Explains that we follow rules according to our superego. Our superego tells us right from wrong and inflicts guilty feeling when we follow our Id’s desires. Superego’s develop in early socialisation with family members, teachers and role models when individuals are punished or rewarded for their behaviour. Superego’s are important as they guide our morality and prevent criminal activities from occurring. However, we can commit crimes if we have a weak super ego and a strong Id.
Define external forms of social control
Definition: agencies that coerce and persuade members of society to conform to social norms and laws. E.g. The government, courts, police, probation services, families, schools etc.
Why do people follow the law according to external forms of social control?
Operant conditioning BF Skinner:
Positive reinforcement enables individuals to show desired behaviours through adding something to reinforce behaviour. For example, a prisoner may be let out of prison on licence due to good behaviour. People, especially criminals will show desired behaviour if they see the rewards and benefits of abiding to social norms and rules. (this relates to token economies in prisons and schools)
Negative reinforcement enables individuals to abide by social norms through taking something away to maintain social order. This may also be known as negative sanctions e.g. imprisonment, fines, community sentences etc.
Control theory: if we are attached to someone we care about their opinions and are more likely to obey the law in order to please family members, friends, teachers.
Furthermore, if we are committed to a conventional way of living, involved in law abiding activities and belief that the law is right and just, we are less likely to become deviant.
The police use coercion and fear of punishment to make people follow the law.
Women: patriarchal society controls women more tightly=women have more domestic duties= less time to engage in criminal activities
What theories support external social control?
Rational ideology
Control theory
Operant conditioning
Social bonds
What theories support internal forms of social control?
Psychodynamic theories: Freud’s Id, ego, and superego
What role do government and its agencies play in being external forms of social control?
The police: coercion and fear of punishment, arresting, searching, detaining, the use of CCTV, patrolling high crime areas.
The courts: harsh sentencing, conveyer belt system, fear of punishment, policies on repeat offending, the courts can be influenced by societal expectations and may be harsher on violent crimes. Also judges can make judicial presidents which can make something illegal e.g. the marital rape case.
Probation services: watch over offenders on licence or community sentences, frequent drug and alcohol tests, make sure offenders abide by the terms set by the courts and ensure offenders who break the rules are arrested and tried by the courts.
The government: Acts of parliament can make things illegal- links to fear of punishment and allows there to be punishments for modern crimes such as cyber bullying. The government also uses intimidation through policies and they control public agencies such as the police.
Define coercion (2 marks)
Use of threat to make someone do or stop doing something and it may involve psychological or physical violence. For example, the treat of imprisonment or arrest.
