TOPIC : SOCIAL CONTROL: CSS / PMS SOCIOLOGY SOLVED QUESTION ANSWER NOTES

 

Outline

1.     Introduction

2.     Definition of social control

3.     Agents of social control

4.     Types of social control

5.     Positive reinforcement of social control

6.     Negative reinforcement of social control

7.     Conclusion

Introduction: Social Control as a way of social integration and Sanctioning Deviance

                   A human society consists of a perfect balance of interaction between an individual and the group. The group has its own values and any deviation from inherent values of the group leads to social disorder. Hence, in order to maintain an integration between the individual and the group, some sort of social control is mandatory. A society exercises social control through its agents in both formal and informal ways. Similarly, sometimes social control not only leads to positive reinforcement but negative reinforcement as well. The Durkheim’s concept of anomie, violent ethnocentrisms and alienation due to over control of material resources is an example. Hence, social control is on one hand phenomena of social integration and sanctioning deviance, whereas on the other sometimes it leads to negative reinforcement as well.

 

 

Definition of Social Control:

                   “Social Control focuses on the capacity of a social organization to regulate itself.”

                                                                (Morris Janowitz)

                   “Social control is the phenomena to nip deviant tendencies in the bud.”

                                                                (Talcot Parsons)

                   “Social control is a way to achieve social stability and order.”

                                                                 (John J. Macionis)

Agents of Social Control:

1.     Family

2.     State

3.     Law

4.     Education

5.     Religion

6.     Media

Types of Social Control

                   There are two types of social control illustrated in the infographic shown below:

 

Formal Control                                                                             Informal Control  

 

1.     Formal Control:

In this type of social control, some institutionalized mechanism comest into play to maintain social order and specific values of the social group. Formal control is primarily of the interest of structural functionalists.

       Illustration:

a.      The criminal law sanctions individual from committing crime.

b.     Education builds social and national narratives.

c.      Family is the mechanism of promotion of culture.

 

2.     Informal Control:

In this type of social control, symbolic interactionism usually comes into play. Specific socially actions integrate the individual and sanctions any deviance on his behalf.

         Illustration:

1.     Religion defines ethical and moral values pertaining to what is acceptable socially and what is not.

2.     Social heritage determines the nature of Weberian leadership in social relation i.e. relation between elder and minors.

 

Positive reinforcement of social control:

                   Positive reinforcement of social control means the benefits accrued by the individual and society by adhering to the values that are socially sanctioned. Few of the positive reinforcements of social control are mentioned below:

 

i.           Balance of integration between an  individual and social group:

A positively reinforced social control perfectly integrator the individual in the social group. The individual does not feel alienated.

ii.                 Maintenance of social order:

Social order is particularly of the interests of structural functionalists. Hence, according to structural functionalists social order is maintained through social control.

iii.              Preservation of social culture, folks and mores:

A social culture and its associated folks and mores are inherent characteristics of culture. An adequate social control helps in avoiding assimilating these values across other cultures.

iv.                Avoiding deviant tendencies:

The institution of social sanctioning does not appreciate the deviant tendencies and the formation of sub cultures.

Negative reinforcement of social control

                   On the flip side of the rewards of social integration, there are some punitive implications that arise either by not adhering to the social control or by using the concept inequitably i.e. sometimes over controlling the society or under controlling it.

i.                   Durkheim’s concept of suicide:

In the Durkheim’s theory of suicide, a lack of balance between social integration and social control leads to suicide of individual.

 

 

ii.                 Over control of a particular group may lead to violent ethnocentrisms:

This is dangerous in multi-ethnic societies where a hegemony of the dominant group may eliminate the identity of the minority. The aversion of Hindutva in India to Muslims is an example of that.   

iii.              Alienation of individual and class conflict:

The conflict perspective explains this phenomena. In alienation, a particular class controls the economic resources and impedes the access of the other class to such resources. This creates alienation. Alienation is common in present capitalist system where policies are made to favor the bourgeoisies and the proletariat is always at the end of receiving the brunt of alienation.  

iv.               Lack of social control and social order:

According to Chicago school of criminology, the localities with inadequate social control have high crime rate.

Conclusion

                   In the modern age and system of multiple identities, social control has become a much contested phenomena. Adequate social control maintaining a balance between sanctions and socio- individual freedom is mandatory, in such a scenario, it leads towards positive reinforcement, otherwise it may lead to social disorder, ethnocentrism and alienation.