Module 23 “Social Control”

Social control refers to techniques and strategies for preventing deviant human behavior in society.
Occurs at all levels, including:
- Family: Obeying parents as a form of socialization.
- Peer Groups: Introducing informal norms (e.g., dress codes).
- Schools and Organizations: Establishing formal rules and regulations.
- Government: Legislating and enforcing social norms.
Effective socialization promotes conformity to societal standards, with consequences for violations.

Deviance involves behavior that violates social norms, leading to stigma.
The relationship between conformity and deviance is complex; perceptions can vary.
Examines behaviors considered deviant in certain contexts (e.g., binge drinking).
Understanding conformity: viewed positively (team player) or negatively (mindless imitation).

Definitions and distinctions between deviance and crime are explored.
Crime is a specific type of deviance subject to official norms.
Key areas of focus include:
- Theories of deviance (functionalism, interactionism, conflict theory).
- Mechanisms of social control (formal and informal).

Historical Context: Police reform efforts began in 1968 with the establishment of the Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration.
Key reforms identified by criminologists Katz and Maguire:
- Diversity in Police Composition: Efforts to include more minority officers.
- Education and Training: Requirements for officers to undergo formal education.
- Technological Enhancements: Introduction of body cameras and dashboard cameras.
Criticism: Despite reforms, issues of police brutality and excessive force persist, particularly towards minorities.
New approaches include:
- Problem-Oriented Policing: Redesigning environments to reduce crime susceptibility.
- Hotspot Policing: Resource allocation to areas prone to crime.
- Civilian Review Boards: Handling allegations against police.
- Early Intervention Programs: Providing alternatives to youth offenders.

Emergence of evidence-based policing that applies scientific research to policing strategies,
- Lawrence Sherman’s Research (2013): Demonstrated that limiting police powers didn't lead to increased crime.
- Analogy to medicine, emphasizing informed decisions by police leaders based on research.

The slow acceptance of reforms and continued issues with police diversity and use of force.
Racial disparities evident: Black Americans face high rates of violent crime while also being disproportionately affected by police violence.
Crime can be functional within specific subcultures, offering stability to marginalized groups (e.g., homeless individuals, drug addicts).

Deviance includes behaviors acknowledged as unacceptable by mainstream society, with varying acceptance in subcultures.
Conformity can take different forms:
- Positive Conformity: Team player behavior.
- Negative Conformity: Mindlessness in imitation.
Mechanisms of social control address conformity and deviance, relying on laws to reflect societal values.

Techniques for social control operate on group and societal levels:
Decisions about obeying vs. conforming differ based on authority influences (e.g., military vs. peers).
Research using Stanley Milgram's Experiment:
- Investigated obedience to authority under ethical considerations.
- Shocking results revealing how average individuals followed orders to inflict pain on others.
Subjects often deflected responsibility to authority figures; proximity to victims decreased compliance.

The experiment highlights societal tendencies toward obedience and conformity, a relevant link to discussions of authority and ethics.

Recent replications confirm high obedience rates, using new modalities like virtual reality.
VR studies show participants respond empathetically and still follow instructions, revealing deep societal norms regarding authority.

Formal vs. Informal Social Control:
- Informal Control: Casual enforcement of norms through social cues.
- Formal Control: Implemented by authorities, used when informal efforts fail.
Historical use of the death penalty illustrated as significant social control, alongside criticisms of its effectiveness.

In recent years, there's increased scrutiny over social control measures, particularly post-9/11, where surveillance measures were intensified.
Concerns about racial profiling and the balance between safety and civil rights.
Solitary confinement raises ethical questions regarding its effectiveness and humane application.

Gun control presents a significant controversy in society influenced by cultural norms and political power.
The NRA plays a decisive role in legislative processes, opposing stricter regulations despite high gun violence statistics.
The ongoing conversation balances civil rights, safety, and the evolving interpretation of laws across states.
Recent Trends: Decriminalization movements (e.g., marijuana laws) demonstrate evolving social values reflected in legislation.

Discussion of socialization patterns leading to conformity and the impact of control theory on our understanding of deviance.
Emphasizes the role of societal bonds in reducing deviant behaviors.
- Concerns about economic factors: Many jailed individuals are there due to inability to pay bail.

Acknowledgment of the shortcomings of a cash bail system contributing to systemic inequality.
New reforms in jurisdictions (e.g., New York) show varying reception and effectiveness, suggesting a need for comprehensive evaluation—soliciting a re-examination of poverty's relationship with incarceration.

Highlights relationship between conformity, social control mechanisms, and the implications of laws as reflections of changing societal values.
Discussion questions pose critical reflection on youth convictions, drug decriminalization, and anticipated changes in societal legal norms.

Conformity, Control Theory, Formal Social Control, Informal Social Control, Law, Obedience, Sanction, Social Control.