How Does Society Control Us? (Copy)
O Level Sociology – Cheat Sheet
2.2 How does society control us?
2.2.1 Social Control
- Formal Social Control:
Enforced by official institutions (e.g. police, government, courts).
Based on written laws and formal authority. - Informal Social Control:
Enforced by non-official groups (e.g. family, peers, media).
Based on social expectations, tradition, and cultural norms. - Sanctions:
- Positive: Rewards for conforming behavior (e.g. praise, promotion, certificates)
- Negative: Punishments for deviance (e.g. detention, fines, social exclusion)
- Effectiveness:
Social control is effective when it causes individuals to internalize norms, leading to conformity without direct enforcement.
2.2.2 Consensus vs Conflict Views of Social Control
| Theory | View of Social Control |
|---|---|
| Functionalism | Necessary for social stability and value consensus. It encourages cooperation and discourages deviance. |
| Marxism | Maintains the dominance of the ruling class. Laws and punishments reflect capitalist interests. |
| Feminism | Reinforces patriarchy. Norms and control mechanisms uphold male dominance and restrict female roles. |
2.2.3 Effectiveness of Formal Agencies of Social Control
| Agency | Role in Social Control |
|---|---|
| Government | Creates laws and policies to define acceptable behavior. |
| Police | Enforces laws through investigation and arrest. |
| Courts | Apply laws and determine legal consequences. |
| Penal System | Implements punishment (e.g. prison, probation). |
| Armed Forces | Maintain national security and enforce martial law when necessary. |
Effectiveness depends on resources, public trust, accountability, and fairness.
2.2.4 Methods of Control by Formal Agencies
- Law-Making:
Sets clear behavioral expectations and defines crimes. - Coercion:
Use of force or threat to make individuals comply. - Digital Surveillance:
Monitoring online activity to prevent deviance (e.g. cybercrime units, CCTV). - Arrest:
Detaining suspects based on legal authority. - Sentencing:
Courts assign legal penalties after conviction. - Imprisonment:
Removing freedom to punish or rehabilitate.
2.2.5 Effectiveness of Informal Agencies of Social Control
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| Family | Teaches early values, uses rewards/punishments |
| Education | Enforces discipline, social norms via curriculum and rules |
| Peer Group | Encourages conformity through acceptance or rejection |
| Media | Promotes ideal behavior through representation and framing |
| Religion | Provides moral guidelines, often with eternal rewards or punishments |
| Workplace | Enforces norms through contracts, promotions, and disciplinary actions |
2.2.6 Methods of Informal Control
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Ostracism | Social exclusion (e.g. being ignored by peers) |
| Parental Rewards | Praise, treats, or privileges for good behavior |
| Social Media ‘Likes’ | Reinforces behavior by social validation |
| Religious Sanctions | Guilt, shame, reward in afterlife for behavior |
| School Punishments | Detention, scolding, suspension |
| Dismissal from Job | Formal workplace punishment for rule-breaking |
2.2.7 Resistance to Social Control
- Why Some Resist:
- Reject dominant norms/values
- Feel excluded, powerless, or alienated
- Want to promote change or rebel
- Forms of Resistance:
- Deviant behavior: Violating norms
- Non-conformist behavior: Peacefully rejecting norms
- Protest groups: E.g. climate activists, civil rights movements
- Online subcultures: Communities that reject mainstream ideas
- Youth subcultures: E.g. punks, emos, hip-hop culture
- Religious subcultures: E.g. strict sects, minority faith communities
These groups challenge dominant social norms, question authority, or offer alternative identities.