Social control

What is social control?

The various methods used to persuade or force individuals to conform to the dominant norms and values of society

What does social control prevent?

Deviance

What is the first method of social control?

Socialisation

What is meant by deviant?

Behaviour that is not socially acceptable and attracts disapproval

What are agents of socialisation control?

The groups, individuals and institutions in society who encourage conformity through positive and negative sanctions

What are formal agents of social control?

Agencies set up to specifically make individuals conform to social norms and laws

What are informal agents of socialisation control?

The institutions whose primary purpose is not to control our behaviour, but they do they do so by socialising individuals

What is one of the main ways that the agents of social control encourage conformity?

Sanctions

What types of sanctions can be used?

Positive, negative, formal (imposed by officials) and informal (disapproval when unwritten rule is broken)