How Does Society Control Us?
Overview
Most people, most of the time, obey the rules: they stop at red lights, pay for their shopping and keep their voices down in a library. Why? Part of the answer is that society controls us, sometimes openly through laws, police and courts, and sometimes quietly through a raised eyebrow or a word of praise. Social control is the glue that turns a crowd of individuals into an orderly society, and this topic asks how it works and who it really serves.
Here you will learn the sharp distinction between formal and informal control, the difference between positive and negative sanctions, and how the formal agencies of the state (government, law, police, courts, the penal system and the armed forces) keep order. You will weigh whether control benefits everyone, as Functionalists claim, or mainly protects the powerful, as Marxists and Feminists argue, and you will see how digital surveillance is reshaping control in the modern world.
Objectives
- Difference between formal and informal types of social control.
- Positive and negative sanctions.
- Effectiveness of these in producing social conformity.
- Functionalism.
- Marxism.
- Feminism.
- Government.
- Police.
- Courts.
- Penal system.
- Armed forces.
- Law-making.
- Coercion.
- Digital surveillance.
- Arrest.
- Sentencing.
- Imprisonment.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on How Does Society Control Us?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which of the following is an example of formal social control? A. A friend teasing you for being late B. A court fining a driver for speeding C. A parent frowning at a rude child D. Neighbours gossiping about a family Answer: B
- Praise from a teacher for good work is best described as a: A. formal negative sanction B. informal positive sanction C. formal positive sanction D. informal negative sanction Answer: B
- Which formal agency is mainly responsible for making the laws? A. The police B. The courts C. The government D. The penal system Answer: C
- Control by force or the threat of force, rather than by consent, is known as: A. coercion B. consensus C. canalisation D. ostracism Answer: A
- A Marxist would argue that formal social control mainly works to: A. benefit all members of society equally B. protect the ruling class and its property C. control men more tightly than women D. abolish social class differences Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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