👋 Welcome to the Chapter on Social Control!

You’ve already learned how we become members of society through socialisation – learning the rules, norms, and values. But what happens if someone breaks those rules? That's where Social Control comes in!

This chapter is essential because it explains how society maintains order and keeps things running smoothly. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first; we will break down the rules into easy-to-digest pieces!

💡 Quick Context: Socialisation and Social Control

Socialisation is the teaching phase (learning the norms). Social Control is the enforcement phase (making sure people follow the norms). They work hand-in-hand to ensure social order.

Section 1: Defining Social Control

Social control refers to the methods and strategies used to persuade, encourage, or force people to conform to society's norms, values, and laws. It is the effort to keep everyone behaving in expected ways.

Analogy: The Steering Wheel of Society

Imagine society is a giant car. Socialisation teaches you how to drive (the rules of the road). Social Control is the steering wheel and the police officer, ensuring you stay on the road and follow the speed limit.

If social control didn’t exist, there would be anomie (a state of normlessness or chaos). Therefore, it is vital for maintaining stability.

Quick Takeaway

Social Control = Methods used to make us conform and maintain order.

Section 2: Two Types of Social Control

Sociologists split social control into two main categories based on who is doing the controlling and how strict the enforcement is: Informal and Formal.

1. Informal Social Control

This type of control is usually unofficial, gentle, and happens in everyday interactions. It relies heavily on our personal relationships and feelings.

  • Mechanism: Used casually through disapproval, praise, ridicule, or acceptance.
  • Agents: Primarily carried out by primary and secondary agents of socialisation, such as:
    • Family: Giving you a disapproving look (a 'death glare').
    • Peers: Laughing at you for wearing unfashionable clothes.
    • Community: Gossip or shunning a neighbour who behaves anti-socially.

Key Feature: Informal control works because we care about what others think of us (our reputation).

2. Formal Social Control

This type of control is official, strict, and involves established institutions and written rules (laws). These rules are usually codified, meaning they are written down.

  • Mechanism: Used officially through rules, regulations, laws, fines, or imprisonment.
  • Agents: Carried out by powerful, often state-run institutions:
    • The Police: Issuing speeding tickets.
    • The Courts: Deciding guilt and sentencing.
    • Schools/Education System: Issuing detention or exclusion (though this can overlap with informal sanctions too, like praise).
    • The Military/Prison System: Enforcing severe punishments.

Key Feature: Formal control is needed when informal methods fail or when the action is deemed harmful to society as a whole.

Quick Review Box: Formal vs. Informal

Informal: Everyday, unofficial, personal relationships. (E.g., Your friend giving you a thumbs up.)
Formal: Official, written rules/laws, powerful agencies. (E.g., The Judge giving you a fine.)

Section 3: How Control Works – Sanctions

Social control is enforced through the use of sanctions. A sanction is simply a reaction to a person’s behaviour. It can be a reaction intended to encourage conformity (a reward) or discourage deviance (a punishment).

Sanctions exist in both formal and informal settings, and they are always divided into two types: Positive and Negative.

1. Positive Sanctions (Rewards)

These are rewards given for behaviour that conforms to norms and values. They encourage us to repeat the 'good' behaviour.

  • Informal Positive:
    • Example: A parent praising you for cleaning your room.
    • Example: Receiving applause from an audience.
  • Formal Positive:
    • Example: Receiving a certificate or academic award at school.
    • Example: A police officer receiving a promotion for good service.

Memory Aid: P for Positive = P for Praise/Prize.

2. Negative Sanctions (Punishments)

These are punishments or penalties given for behaviour that breaks norms and values (deviance). They discourage us from repeating the 'bad' behaviour.

  • Informal Negative:
    • Example: A teacher giving you a verbal reprimand or telling you off.
    • Example: Being ignored by your peer group.
  • Formal Negative:
    • Example: Receiving a speeding ticket or fine.
    • Example: Being sent to prison.
    • Example: Getting excluded from school.

Did you know? Even ignoring someone or giving them the 'silent treatment' is a powerful form of informal negative sanction used by peer groups and families!

Step-by-Step Example of Control at Work

Let's look at skipping school:

  1. Action: Student misses class (breaking the norm/rule).
  2. Informal Negative Sanction: Friends might frown or ask why, showing disapproval.
  3. Formal Negative Sanction: The school calls home, gives detention, or in extreme cases, involves educational welfare officers who may issue a fine to the parents (depending on the country/law).
Quick Takeaway

Sanctions are reactions. Positive sanctions are rewards (encouraging conformity). Negative sanctions are punishments (discouraging deviance). These mechanisms are used by both formal and informal agencies.

Section 4: Summary of Key Terms and Concepts

To ensure you fully understand this core chapter, make sure you can define and differentiate between these five crucial terms:

  • Social Control: The process of ensuring conformity to norms and values.
  • Informal Social Control: Unofficial control using personal interactions (e.g., family, peers).
  • Formal Social Control: Official control using written laws and official agencies (e.g., police, courts).
  • Positive Sanction: A reward for good behaviour (e.g., praise, certificate).
  • Negative Sanction: A punishment for bad behaviour (e.g., fine, telling off).

Congratulations! You now understand how society manages to keep billions of people (mostly) following the rules. This structure is the basis for understanding deviance and crime in later chapters.