Control theory in sociology is the idea that two control systems—
inner controls and outer controls
—work against our tendencies to deviate. Control theory can either be classified as centralized or decentralized or neither. Decentralized control is considered market control.
Social control theory suggests that
the strength and durability of an individual’s bonds or commitments to conventional society inhibit social deviance
(Hirschi 1969; Simpson 1976). … When an individual’s bonds to society are strong, they prevent or limit crime and other deviant behavior.
What is deviance control?
Deviance is
a violation of norms
. Whether or not something is deviant depends on contextual definitions, the situation, and people’s response to the behavior. Society seeks to limit deviance through the use of sanctions that help maintain a system of social control.
What were some responses to deviance?
Every culture has some sort of response when members break the rules or violate the norms. It could be ostracism, shaming, retraining, or stoning. The three primary approaches that a society might take are
degradation, imprisonment, and medicalization
.
Conformity is opposite to social deviance which implies obedience to the
norms
that make a person acceptable in a particular society, group, or social setting. … Deviance is a behaviour that violates the standards of conduct or expectations or social norms of a group or society.
What are the 4 types of deviance?
According to Merton, there are five types of deviance based upon these criteria:
conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion
. Structural functionalism argues that deviant behavior plays an active, constructive role in society by ultimately helping cohere different populations within a society.
What is deviance example?
Deviant behavior may violate formally-enacted rules or informal social norms. … Examples of formal deviance include
robbery, theft, rape, murder, and assault
. Informal deviance refers to violations of informal social norms, which are norms that have not been codified into law.
- (a) Direct social control:
- (b) Indirect social control:
- (a) Organised social control:
- (b) Unorganised social control:
- (c) Spontaneous social control:
- (d) More spontaneous social control:
- (a) Positive social control:
- (b) Negative social control:
Nye focused on the family unit as a source of control and specified three types of control:
(1) direct control, or the use of punishments
and rewards to incentivize particular behaviors; (2) indirect control, or the affectionate identification with individuals who adhere to social norms; and (3) internal control, or …
As such, social control theory
posits that crime occurs when such bonds are weakened or are not well established
. … As a result, criminality is seen as a possibility for all individuals within society, avoided only by those who seek to maintain familial and social bonds.
How can we prevent deviance?
The most effective possible
social control system
would be one that prevents deviance from arising at all. It could prevent deviant acts from occurring in the first place (primary prevention) or, if they have occurred in the past, prevent their reoccurrence (secondary prevention).
How can deviance be positive?
Positive Deviance is based on the
observation
that in every community there are certain individuals or groups whose uncommon behaviour and strategies enable them to find better solutions to problems than their peers.
What are the factors of deviance?
- Faulty socialisation: …
- Weak Sanctions: …
- Poor Enforcement: …
- Ease of Rationalisation: …
- Unjust or Corrupt Enforcement: …
- Ambivalence of the Agents of Social Control: …
- Sub-cultural Support of Deviance:
Why is conformity bad for society?
In a conformist society,
people lose their individuality so that they can become accepted
. The burden they feel to be something they are not can have negative consequences. … So, sometimes, despite being good for keeping the balance in the world, conformity can be a pretty bad thing for individuals.
What are some real life examples of conformity?
- Following Rules. We have to pay a fine, whenever we violate the rules and regulations. …
- Greetings. …
- Queues. …
- Following Fashion. …
- Changing Eating Habits. …
- Education and Career. …
- Marriage. …
- Attending Parties.
Examples of formal social control include
the government
. The government uses laws and courts to exercise social control. The government tries to protect those following the rules and capture and punish those who do not. Governmental social control goes beyond the legal system.
