Forms of Social Control Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is social control?

Social control refers generally to societal and political mechanisms or processes that regulate individual and group behavior, leading to conformity and compliance to the rules of a given society, state, or social group.

What are some of the agencies that control your behavior? (Select all that apply)

Religious beliefs (correct)

Work and careers (correct)

Peer groups (correct)

Police (correct)

Education (correct)

Media (correct)

Family (correct)

What is internal social control?

The process of internalizing the norms of society and accepting them as valid, operating through socialization to encourage conformity.

What is external social control?

Society's efforts to bring individuals who deviate back into line through rewards and punishments. Signup and view all the answers

How may theories link to the proper socialization of norms and values? (Select all that apply)

Behaviourist Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of socialization?

Primary socialization occurs between the ages of 0-5 and is delivered by the family, while secondary socialization happens throughout life via various agents. Signup and view all the answers

What is rational ideology?

A set of normative beliefs that influences how individuals interpret the world, becoming part of internal social control through socialization. Signup and view all the answers

How do right realists support rational ideology?

They use Rational Choice Theory, where individuals weigh risks and benefits when making choices, influenced by socialization. Signup and view all the answers

What role do traditions play in social control?

Traditions of a family or culture may become part of internal social control, leading to exclusion or shame if not followed. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of external formal and informal social control.

Neighborhood watch Signup and view all the answers

What does coercion mean?

Coercion is the use of force to achieve a desired end, and it can be physical or non-violent. Signup and view all the answers

Why might prison, fines, death penalty, community sentences, and ASBOs be seen as effective or ineffective at controlling behavior?

Prison has rehabilitation schemes but high recidivism rates; fines can deter but often affect the poor less; death penalty sets an example but is uncommon; community sentences may be viewed as lenient; ASBOs can lead to stigma among youths. Signup and view all the answers

What is social control theory?

It posits that delinquent acts occur when an individual's bond to society is weak or broken. Signup and view all the answers

What does attachment mean in the context of social control?

Strong social attachments encourage conformity, while weak relationships lead to more deviance. Signup and view all the answers

How does opportunity affect conformity?

The perception of legitimate opportunity encourages conformity; low confidence in future success can lead to deviance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of involvement in legitimate activities?

Extensive involvement in legitimate activities inhibits deviance, while a lack of such activities facilitates it. Signup and view all the answers

What role does belief play in social control?

Strong beliefs in conventional morality and authority figures restrain tendencies towards deviance. Signup and view all the answers

What is neutralization theory?

It suggests that social control fails when people's commitment to moral order is weakened, allowing for cognitive distortions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five techniques of neutralization?

Condemning the condemners Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics might criminals have regarding family relationships?

Certain criminals, like serial killers, may not have had strong family relationships or attachments. Signup and view all the answers

How did Josef Fritzl attempt to neutralize his behavior?

He justified holding his daughter as a sex slave by believing he was helping her survive. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social control regulates individual and group behavior within society, promoting conformity to societal norms.

Key agencies influencing behavior include police, peer groups, education systems, media, family, religious institutions, and workplaces.

Internalization of societal norms occurs through socialization, leading to conformity.
Relationships and moral codes reduce the likelihood of deviant behavior; family plays a crucial role in this internal understanding of right and wrong.

Society employs rewards and punishments to ensure conformity, categorized as positive sanctions (rewards) and negative sanctions (punishments).
Authorities, such as police, employ coercive measures to maintain obedience and compliance.

Theories Linking Socialization to Behavior

Various theories (Behaviorist, Freud, Functionalism, Right Realism) connect effective socialization of norms and values to behavioral control.

Types of Socialization

Primary socialization occurs from ages 0-5, primarily through families.
Secondary socialization continues throughout life, involving education, peers, and broader societal norms.

Rational Ideology

An ideology comprises shared beliefs that shape an individual's worldview, influencing their adherence to laws and norms.
Extreme ideologies can sometimes justify criminal behavior; Marxist perspectives criticize capitalism for perpetuating inequality.

Right Realism & Rational Choice Theory

Right Realists emphasize Rational Choice Theory, suggesting individuals weigh risks and rewards, influencing their decision-making and moral outlook.

Traditions as Internal Control

Family or cultural traditions function as internal controls, creating norms that discourage deviance, with potential consequences like exclusion or shame.

Formal social control involves official institutions (e.g., police, government).
Informal social control relies on unofficial community figures (e.g., neighborhood watch, street pastors).

Coercion

Coercion employs force to compel compliance, considered a last resort in social control.

Effectiveness of Penal Measures

Prisons can rehabilitate but face high recidivism rates (44% within one year).
Fines deter but may not impact wealthier individuals; non-payment rates are high.
Death penalty serves as a strong deterrent, though its application varies globally.
Community sentences are perceived as lenient and do not always reduce recidivism; ASBOs can lead to stigma among young offenders.

Hirschi’s theory states that weak social bonds lead to delinquency, emphasizing four types of social control that strengthen bonds.

Attachment: Strong family and peer relationships encourage conformity.
Opportunity: Belief in a legitimate future curbs deviant behavior.
Involvement: Engagement in positive activities hinders deviance.
Belief: Strong adherence to societal morals restricts deviant impulses.

Neutralization Theory

Sykes and Matza explain that individuals rationalize deviant behavior through neutralization techniques that weaken moral commitments.

Techniques of Neutralization

Denial of responsibility: Attributing deviant actions to external circumstances.
Denial of harm: Minimizing the impact of one’s actions on others.
Condemning the condemners: Justifying actions by criticizing societal norms.

Criminal Behavior & Family Relations

Weak family bonds are linked to criminality; for instance, serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer had troubled family relationships.

Josef Fritzl Case

Fritzl rationalized his actions, believing he protected his daughter, illustrating the complexity of moral justification amidst deviance.

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Description

Explore the concept of social control through these flashcards. Learn about the various definitions and agencies that influence behavior within society. This quiz helps you understand how different forces contribute to conformity and compliance.