2/20/2009

Social control

Social control is one of the social mechanisms, which regulates behaviour of individuals or groups and leads to conformity and acceptence of the rules of a given society or a social group.

Two basic forms of social control are:
1. Internalisation of normes and values
2. The use of sanctions (positive - rewards, negative - punishments)

Informal social control
Informal social control produces social values that are presented in individuals. They are expressed through customs, norms and mores. Individuals can be socialised consciously or subconsciously. Usually conducted by society.

Formal social control
Formal social control is expressed through law (statutes, rules, regulations against deviant behavior). Conducted by the government and organisations using law enforcement mechanism and formal sanctions (fines, imprisonment etc)