Explanation
Social control refers to the various means by which societies maintain order and enforce conformity to accepted norms, values, and laws. It encompasses both formal mechanisms (e.g., law enforcement, criminal justice, surveillance) and informal mechanisms (e.g., socialization, peer pressure, family influence).
Sociologists distinguish between two primary types:
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Formal social control, implemented by institutions such as the police, courts, and prisons.
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Informal social control, exercised through everyday interactions, community expectations, or internalized norms.
The concept is central to both classical and contemporary sociology. Émile Durkheim emphasized the integrative function of norms and punishment. Talcott Parsons saw social control as vital for system maintenance, while Michel Foucault analyzed the subtle, pervasive techniques of disciplinary power in modern societies (e.g. surveillance, normalization).
In criminology, theories such as the Social Bond Theory (Hirschi) and Self-Control Theory (Gottfredson & Hirschi) are directly concerned with the weakening or failure of social control mechanisms. Critical scholars have highlighted how social control can reinforce inequality, target marginalized populations, or mask state violence.
Theoretical Reference
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Classical theory: Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons
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Critical theory: Michel Foucault, Stanley Cohen
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Criminological theory: Hirschi (Social Bond), Gottfredson & Hirschi (Self-Control), Braithwaite (Reintegrative Shaming)
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Applied in: Control theories, Labeling theory, Surveillance studies, Policing studies