How Does Society Control Us?

Social Control

Social control refers to the ways in which society tries to influence people to follow its rules and norms. It
helps maintain order and ensures that people behave in acceptable ways.

There are two types of social control:

1. Formal Social Control

2. Informal Social Control

1. Formal Social Control

Formal social control is carried out by people who have the authority to enforce rules and laws. They are
done mostly by official institutions like the police, schools, or the government.

 Examples:
o Police arresting someone for breaking the law.
o Schools punishing students for breaking rules.
o Courts giving sentences like fines or imprisonment.

2. Informal Social Control

Informal social control is not enforced by official authorities but by the people around us. It happens
through everyday interactions with family, friends, and peers.

 Examples:
o A parent scolding a child for bad behavior.
o Friends giving disapproving looks if you do something wrong.
o Being excluded from a group for not following their ways.

Positive and Negative Sanctions

Sanctions in this context are ways used by society to achieve social control.

1. Positive Sanctions: These are rewards for good behavior or a behavior that others approve of. It
comes in two forms;
o Informal Positive Sanctions: Praise from a friend or a smile from a parent.
o Formal Positive Sanctions: Getting a medal, an award, or a job promotion.

2. Negative Sanctions: These are punishments for bad behavior. It comes in two forms;
o Informal Negative Sanctions: A frown or being ignored by friends.
o Formal Negative Sanctions: Being fined, arrested, or sent to prison.
The Debate Between Consensus and Conflict Views of Social Control

1. Consensus View: Functionalism

In the consensus view, social control is a positive thing, as it helps society stay stable. Some functionalists
believe that people follow rules when they are persuaded that it’s the “right thing to do.”
If persuasion doesn’t work, punishments like fines, imprisonment, or social disapproval are used.
A famous functionalist, Emile Durkheim, argued that societies need shared values to hold people
together. When people break these shared values, society goes into total chaos (which he calls Anomie).

2. Conflict Views: Marxism and Feminism

In the Conflict view social control is not for everyone’s benefit; it helps those in power (e.g., the ruling
class or men) maintain control over others.

Marxist View of Social Control: Marxists argue that the ruling class uses social control to dominate the
working class. A famous Marxist named Louis Althusser described two types of institutions used by the
rich to control society:

1. Ideological State Apparatus: Think of these like ideological tools used to make people
accept unfair systems. They Include schools, media, and religion. These institutions teach
people to accept their role in society and obey authority even against their own interests.

 Example: For example, a student who follows strict school rules may grow up to
follow workplace rules without questioning whether they are fair.

2. Repressive State Apparatus: If ideological control fails, they use force through the police,
courts, and military to control people.
 Example: If workers protest for better wages, those in power will first try to
convince the protesters that they are wrong. If this does not work the police or the
army might be sent to stop them from protesting

Feminist View of Social Control: Feminists argue that society is controlled by men in a way that limits
women’s independence and equality. Women are taught traditional roles (e.g., they are expected to be
housewives and mothers) that limit the choices they may have.
In schools girls are encouraged to pursue careers that support men rather than challenge them, making
equality harder to achieve.

2. The Effectiveness of Agencies of Social Control

Agencies of social control are organizations or systems that enforce rules. There are formal agencies
(like police) and informal agencies (like schools and religion).

The Effectiveness of Agencies of Formal Social Control

The main agencies of formal social control include the government, police, courts, prisons, and the
Armed Forces. Their main role is to work together to ensure people follow the law and to punish those
who don’t.

Formal agencies of social control (e.g., police, courts, prisons) are effective because they have the legal
power to enforce laws and punish law breakers.
For eg, the police arrest a suspect who is suspected of breaking a law enforced by government and the
court puts that person on trial. If he is found guilty, he is then sent to prison.

Limitations

 Many sociologists argue that formal social control alone is not fully effective in controlling
behavior. For example, most people in society do not break laws because they follow rules
voluntarily, not because of fear of punishment.
 Most times people who are punished may break the law again. This is because formal punishment
(e.g., imprisonment) does not always address the root causes of crime, such as poverty or lack of
education. This shows that punishment alone is often insufficient to bring long-term changes in
behavior.
 Also using formal social control methods, such as imprisonment or fines, can be costly—both
financially and socially. Isn’t it obvious that running prisons and court systems is expensive?

This is why sociologists suggest that informal social control is often more effective in shaping behavior.
Formal agencies should serve as a backup, used only when informal control fails or in extreme cases.

Methods of Control Used by Formal Agencies in Achieving Social Conformity

1. Law Making: Laws are created by the government to tell people what they can and cannot do so
that they do not harm other people or their interests. Different countries have different laws
based on their cultures and beliefs. For eg, in some countries, religious teachings are the basis
for laws, such as Sharia law in Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Laws also change over time to adapt to new challenges. Example: As the internet became
widespread, new laws were created to prevent crimes like cyberbullying or hacking.

2. Coercion: Coercion means forcing people to obey rules, often by using threats or physical force.
Examples:
o Police use tools like handcuffs, Tasers, tear gas, water cannons, or even physical
restraint to control individuals.
o The military may be used to stop protests or riots if they become violent.
Coercion is usually seen as a last resort when persuasion or informal control fails.

3. Surveillance: Surveillance means monitoring people’s behavior to ensure they follow the rules.
Surveillance helps formal agencies prevent crime before it happens or gather evidence to punish
offenders. Example: CCTV footage can help police identify suspects in a crime. Technology can
also be used to monitor online activities, such as internet searches, phone calls, or social media
to prevent major crimes like cyber bullying or terrorism.
4. Arrest: Arrest happens when someone is detained by the police because they are suspected of
breaking the law. The police must have a valid reason to arrest someone, like evidence or
suspicion of a crime. In most countries, there are rules about how long someone can be held
before being officially charged or released. Arrest ensures that individuals who pose a threat to
society can be investigated and stopped.
Sentencing and Imprisonment: After a trial, courts decide on a punishment if the person is
found guilty.
Types of sentences:
a. Discharge: The offender is free to go but may receive a warning.
b. Fines: Paying money as a penalty.
c. Imprisonment: Being sent to jail for serious crimes.
d. Capital punishment: The death penalty, still used in some countries for the most
severe crimes.

These punishments are meant to deter people from committing crimes and protect society.

e.