Social control

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Social control

Control of society over the individual

Some kind of influence essentially excreted by the society or community exercised for promoting the welfare of all the individuals or groups as a whole 8/31/12

Social control

2 major means of social control

Formal Informal
Use of law/ legislation Military Police force Administration devices Customs
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Gossip Public opinion folkways

Rewards Mores, Ridicule ,Punishments Praise ,Ostracism Religion Teasing ,Status

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Why does informal social control work? Write down something you have not done

recently for fear of the consequences of informal social control.

Why did the informal sanction matter? 8/31/12

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Formal Social Control As society becomes larger & more mobile, we

are no longer able to have face-to-face contact with everyone; social action is coordinated on a large scale.
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Modern societies tend, therefore, to

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Characteristics of Formal Social Control Formal social control is exercised by institutions that

follow rules and procedures to control their members.

Examples?
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Advantages of informal social control

Can apply local knowledge and standards Allows for collective participation May allow for reintegration Is based on and works through

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Definition :

Social control refers to the system of devices where by society brings to members into conformity with the accepted standards of behaviour ( E A Ross)

Social control refers to the patterns of pressure which a society exerts to maintain order and established rules 8/31/12 Ogburn & Nimkoff) (

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Social control is defined as all the mechanisms and processes employed by a society to ensure conformity. In other words, social control is any cultural or social means by which restraints are imposed upon individual behavior and by which 8/31/12 people are initiated to follow the

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Mechanisms by which order is created;

norms and values are reinforced.

Our behavior is always being guided, shaped, and controlled in some fashion. What are some mechanisms by which order

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Why do we need it? Makes cooperative action possible (driving) Allows us to address harmful behavior Socialize people Enhance group solidarity Reinforce collective morality
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What are some potentially negative consequences of social control? Can stifle self-expression, individuality Can repress what some would see as legitimate differences May be counter-productive increase 8/31/12

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There are two major types of social control mechanisms. These are: negative and positive social control mechanisms.

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Negative Social Control: This involves punishment or regulating behavior of deviants. A deviant is a person whose views and actions are different in moral or social standards from what is considered normal or acceptable in the context of a certain social group. This social control may be at micro/ informal level and macro/ formal levels. Micro/ informal 8/31/12 level social control occurs at the level

Positive Social Control: These mechanisms involve rewarding and encouraging those who abide by the norms. It involves rewarding the model behavior. The informal psychosocial reward mechanisms include simple smiles, saying encouraging word, shaking hands, thanking, showing appreciation, etc. Formal positive social control 8/31/12 mechanism may include giving

Need for Social Control Social solidarity is essential for the existence of society.No two persons is alike in their na-ture, ideas, attitudes and interests. Every individual is a separate personality. There are cul-tural differences among the individuals. As a matter of fact 8/31/12 society is a heterogeneous or-