Failed Social Control

Social Control in Communities

  • Community Influence on Behavior
    • Local communities can exert social pressure, which is a form of social control.
    • Community ties may influence individual behavior through informal social norms.
  • Organizational Participation
    • Membership in organizations (like clubs, teams, or groups) may also lead to social control.
    • Organizational activities and rituals contribute to socialization and reinforce norms.

Resocialization Processes

  • Self-Help and Mutual Aid Groups
    • In groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, members assist each other in the resocialization process.
    • Participants may have sponsors or mentors for support, emphasizing communal efforts over individualism.
    • The term ‘mutual aid’ is preferred as it reflects collaboration rather than solely individual self-help.

Public vs. Private Social Control

  • Public Social Control
    • Enforced through broader societal norms and institutions, including government.
    • Socialization into societal goals influences individuals’ thoughts on acceptable behavior.
  • Private Social Control
    • Occurs within smaller, intimate groups (like friends or family) and involves personal relationships.
    • Individuals often modify behavior based on how they perceive others will judge them within familiar circles.

Theories of Criminal Behavior

  • Social Control Theory
    • Proposes that social ties and commitments to community norms play a key role in preventing deviant behavior.
    • Closely knit relationships instill morals and values that discourage delinquency.
  • Contrast with Other Theories
    • Unlike biological or psychological theories of deviant behavior, social control theory stresses external social influences.

Components of Social Control Theory

  • Bonds to Society
    • Healthy attachments to family, friends, and societal structures reduce likelihood of deviance.
  • Values and Moral Ideals
    • Conformity to socially accepted norms stems from internalized values shaped by relationships.
    • Individuals are less likely to act out against societal norms if they are rooted in positive social connections.

Self-Control Theory

  • Definition
    • A subtype of social control theory, focusing on individuals' ability to manage impulses influenced by social relationships.
  • Types of Self-Control
    • High self-control: Individuals can forego immediate gratification or risky behavior due to concern for social or familial expectations.
    • Low self-control: Individuals may be impulsive and disregard potential consequences, often due to weak social bonds.

Theoretical Models of Social Bonding

  • Broken Bond Theory
    • Describes situations wherein previously formed bonds to conventional society weaken, leading to deviance.
    • Example: Child abuse may sever family bonds, leading to future deviant behavior.
  • Failure to Bond Theory
    • Postulates that individuals raised in disjointed communities fail to bond with societal norms from the outset, leading to a predisposition toward deviance.

Parental and Social Supervision

  • Direct vs. Indirect Parental Supervision
    • Direct: Parents are physically present with the child, likely fostering closer relationships.
    • Indirect: Involves trust and allows children to self-regulate in the absence of direct monitoring.
    • Technology influences supervision dynamics today; parents may monitor children through apps, unlike previous generations.

Types of Social Groups

  • Primary Groups
    • Characterized by intimate, familial relationships that exert the most significant social control over behavior.
  • Secondary Groups
    • More formal relationships with acquaintances and less personal influence.
  • Tertiary Groups
    • Connection with individuals encountered briefly and infrequently, lacking significant influence on behavior.

Containment Theory

  • Inner Containment
    • The ability of an individual to control their impulses is bolstered by self-esteem and strong identity.
  • Outer Containment
    • Social influences from primary groups help regulate behavior externally, as individuals strive not to disappoint close relations.

Self-Help as a Form of Social Control

  • Vigilantism and Aggression
    • Self-help can reflect social breakdown when individuals take justice into their own hands as a response to grievances.
    • Such behaviors may stem from a perceived lack of support from formal justice systems.