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. Many mechanisms of social control are cross-cultural, if only in the control mechanisms used to
prevent the establishment of chaos or anomie.[clarification needed] Some theorists, such as Émile Durkheim, refer
to this form of control as regulation. Sociologists identify two basic forms of social controls
1. Internalization of norms and values, and
2. External sanctions, which can be either positive (rewards) or negative (punishment).[1]
Social control theory began to be studied as a separate field in the early 20th century. The means to
enforce social control can be either formal or informal.[2] Sociologist Edward A. Ross argued
that belief systems exert a greater control on human behavior than laws imposed by government, no
matter what form the beliefs take.
Informal social control
The social values that are present in individuals are products of informal social control. It is exercised by a
society without explicitly stating these rules and is expressed through customs, norms, and mores.
Individuals are socialized whether consciously or subconsciously. During informal sanctions, ridicule or
ostracism can cause a straying towards norms.
the person internalizes these mores and norms. Traditional society uses mostly
informal social control embedded in its customary culture relying on the
socialization of its members to establish social order. Religion is thought of
by some as a common and historically established form of informal social
control. More rigidly-structured societies may place increased reliance on
formal mechanisms.
Informal sanctions may include shame, ridicule, sarcasm, criticism and disapproval. In extreme cases
sanctions may include socialdiscrimination and exclusion. This implied social control usually has more
effect on individuals because they become internalized and thus an aspect of personality. Informal
sanctions check 'deviant' behavior. An example of a negative sanction comes from a scene in the Pink
Floyd film 'The Wall,' whereby the young protagonist is ridiculed and verbally abused by a high school
teacher for writing poetry in a mathematics class. The scene illustrates how education is all about control
and conformity, and not about creativity and individuality.
As with formal controls, informal controls reward or punish acceptable or unacceptable behaviour
(i.e., deviance). Informal controls are varied and differ from individual to individual, group to group and
society to society. For example, at a women's institute meeting, a disapproving look might convey the
message that it is inappropriate to flirt with the minister. In a criminal gang, on the other hand, a stronger
sanction applies in the case of someone threatening to inform to the police.[3]
[edit]Formal social control
Formal social control is expressed through law as statutes, rules, and regulations against deviant
behavior. It is conducted by governmentand organizations using law enforcement mechanisms and other
formal sanctions such as fines and imprisonment.[2] In democratic societies the goals and mechanisms of
formal social control are determined through legislation by elected representatives and thus enjoy a
measure of support from the population and voluntary compliance.(citation needed)
[edit]Applications of social control theory
According to the propaganda model theory, the leaders of modern, corporate-dominated societies
employ indoctrination as a means of social control. Theorists such as Noam Chomsky have argued that
systematic bias exists in the modern media.[4] The marketing, advertising, andpublic relations industries
have thus been said to utilize mass communications to aid the interests of certain business elites.
Powerful economic and religious lobbyists have often used school systems and centralised electronic
communications to influence public opinion. Democracy is restricted as the majority is not given the
information necessary to make rational decisions about ethical, social, environmental, or economic
issues.
To maintain control and regulate their subjects, authoritarian organizations and governments promulgate
rules and issue decrees. However, due to a lack of popular support for enforcement, these entities may
rely more on force and other severe sanctions such as censorship,expulsion and limits on political
freedom. Some totalitarian governments, such as the late Soviet Union or the current North Korea, rely on
the mechanisms of the police state.
Sociologists consider informal means of social control vital in maintaining public order, but also recognize
the necessity of formal means as societies become more complex and for responding to emergencies.
The study of social control falls primarily within the academic disciplines of anthropology, political science,
and sociology.
The continual application of low-level fear, as in mass surveillance or an electronic police state also exerts
a powerful coercive force upon a populace.
In criminology, Social Control Theory as represented in the work of Travis Hirschi fits into thePositivist
School, Neo-Classical School, and, later, Right Realism. It proposes that exploiting the process
of socialization and social learning builds self-control and reduces the inclination to indulge in behavior
recognized as antisocial. It was derived from Functionalist theories of crime and Ivan Nye (1958)
proposed that there are four types of control:
Direct: by which punishment is threatened or applied for wrongful behavior, and compliance is
rewarded by parents, family, and authority figures.
Internal: by which a youth refrains from delinquency through the conscience or superego.
Indirect: by identification with those who influence behavior, say because his or her delinquent act
might cause pain and disappointment to parents and others with whom he or she has close
relationships.
Control through needs satisfaction, i.e. if all an individual's needs are met, there is no point in
criminal activity.
