UNIT 4- topic 3 Flashcards
What is social control?
relates to persuading or compelling people to conform to society’s laws, norms and expectations
what are The 2 forms of social control
- internal
- external
what are examples of internal social control
morals, beliefs, experiences, upbringing, socialised, socialisation
what are examples of external social control
friends, family, criminal justice system, college, work
What is Socialisation
is the process of learning what behaviour is acceptable in society, through social interaction
What is meant by internalising/internalisation?
we internalise the rules that society sets out and this become our own internal rule book
What happens to people who do not internalise society’s rules – why might this happen?
have not been socialised correctly, so they can’t internalise them. not effective socialisation may be related to up bringing - lack of role model, not received proper education- affects the way they’ve behaved, got into the wrong peer group - internalised their own rules about whats right to do
why do people obey the law?
Most people through socialisation have learnt what the right thing to do is.
What is rational ideology?
through effective socialisation, we develop the ability to make rational decisions. those who do not, may make irrational decisions
according to freud what are the 3 parts to our personalities
id, ego, super ego
what is the ID
our basic instinctive pulses
what is the ego
our ability to make reasoned and rational choice
what is the super ego
our moral conscience
How is the superego developed?
early socialisation- we internalise the rules we have been taught. it is there to restrain the selfish, primal thoughts of the ID
What is the main role of the superego in relation to conforming in society?
the socialisation forms the rules that we think it right or wrong which will form out super ego
according to freud why do people obey the law
we have been socialised to have the superego, the super ego tells us it’s either the wrong or right thing to do
how can cultural traditions can be seen as internal forms of social control
affirming our identity, if we conform to these traditions it is a way of affirming our identity and being accepted as a member of the community. These traditions act as a form of internal social control to ensure that we act a certain way.
according to cultrual traditions, why do people obey the law
because our opinions are heavily influenced by the traditions or religion of the culture/ community that we are in
What are external forms of social control?
come from outside of yourself, from other people in society
What are agencies of social control?
organisation that impose rules on us to make us behave in a certain way
what are 5 examples of agencies of social control
- family
- friends
- education system
- criminal justice system
- military
how does family maintain social control
tell you off is you did something wrong, do something right get rewarded
how does friends maintain social control
do some right get rewarded in an informal way
how does education system maintain social control
teachers will have rules that students need to follow
how does criminal justice system maintain social control
have laws that people follow to have order in society, punishing for bad behaviour
how does military maintain social control
if there is a major issue the military might be called in to help protect people and try get peace
What does Travis Hirschi say about why people conform to society’s rules?
people conform because they are controlled by the bond that they have with society. he says delinquent acts occur when an individual’s bond to society is weak or broken
what are the 4 key elements of an individuals’ bond to society, according to Hirschi’s control theory
- attachment
- commitment
- involvement
- belief
describe attachment within the key elements of an individuals’ bond to society, according to Hirschi’s control theory
the more attached we are to people in society, the more we care about their opinion. therefore we obey the law to please them and respect their norms
describe commitment within the key elements of an individuals’ bond to society, according to Hirschi’s control theory
The more committed we are to conventional goals the more we risk if we were involved in crime, so we are more likely to want to conform.
describe involvement within the key elements of an individuals’ bond to society, according to Hirschi’s control theory
the more involved with conventional, law abiding activities, the less time and energy we will have to get involved in crime.
describe beliefs within the key elements of an individuals’ bond to society, according to Hirschi’s control theory
if we have been socialised to believe that it is right to obey the law, we are less likely to break it
According to Hirschi’s Control Theory – why do people obey the law?
they have had a strong bond with their parents who have emphasised that crime is wrong and bad, as a result the child thinks this and as the parents have explained the consequences of offending. the child does not want to offend. this has stemmed from the fact that the parents and child have had a strong bond.
what are 2 ways the criminal justice system create social control
- fear of punishment itself
- coercion
how does fear of punishment itself create social control
one way to maintain social control and stop people from breaking the law. some theorists argue that fear of being caught and punished is what stops many would be criminals from breaking the law. for example if you commit and offence you may be arrested, charged, convicted and jailed against their will. this is the idea that punishment acts as a deterrent which stops people from committing crime and instead obey the law.
how does coercion create social control
involves the use of threat or force, in order to make someone do or stop doing something. force may involved physical or psychological violence, or other forms of pressure. the negative sanctions of the criminal justice system are examples of coercion. for example, sending someone to prison for stealing is a from of cohesion, aimed at preventing further offending.
