The Psychology Behind Social Control Saanvi Kunisetty

 The Psychology Behind Social Control

Saanvi Kunisetty

The Basics

What is Social Control?

“Social Control” is a concept dealing with political and social sciences, defined as the ability of society to undertake actions to manage and supervise itself.

What Should I Know About Social Control?

• Means of social control can be split into two categories: informal and formal. Informal social control is when an individual’s actions and decisions are restrained by society’s expectations as to what makes the individual “acceptable”. Formal social control is when the government instills principles and rules to be followed by everyone in order to prevent disorder and misbehavior in society. 

• The Social Control Theory proposes that when people are internally strong and have a sturdy support system of morals, beliefs, relationships, commitments, and more, they are less likely to deviate from the law and be disobedient.

• The three types of conformity (obedience) are compliance, identification, and internalization. Compliance is obeying in public while keeping one’s thoughts to oneself. Identification is obeying someone because they are an authoritative and respected figure. Internalization is obedience because you truly accept the belief or behavior.

• People are urged to listen to those in control of society when sanctions (consequences) are established.

The Significance

What Is the Significance of Social Control?

Social control plays a crucial role in our day to day lives. For students like us who go to school, or teachers, the education system has certain restrictions to control society, as do all other working environments. In activities we often encounter such as driving, drinking, smoking, writing, and even walking (trespassing), laws are present to prevent us from creating chaos in society.

Why Might the Psychology Behind Social Control Be of Any Interest to You as a Student?

Understanding why you act certain ways in response to control, how you can be urged to obey the law, and how you are influenced by control in your daily life can bring you awareness. As a student, the first step to success out in the real world as you approach the end of high school is awareness. 

Works Cited

Boundless. “Boundless Sociology.” Lumen, courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/social-control/.

Tracy Evans, Santa Ana College. “Cultural Anthropology.” Lumen, courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/social-control/.