External Forms of Social Control

This page focuses on external forms of social control in criminology. External controls involve social agencies and institutions that shape behavior through rewards and punishments.

Key agencies of social control include: • Family • Education system • Police • Criminal justice system

Highlight: External social controls use rewards for conformity and punishments for those who deviate from norms.

The criminal justice system plays a significant role in external social control:

• Judges and magistrates have the power to bail, remand, and sentence offenders • The prison service detains and punishes prisoners • Police have authority to stop, search, arrest, and charge suspects • The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides whether to prosecute in court

Vocabulary: Coercion involves the use or threat of force to make someone comply with social norms.

Coercion can be physical (e.g., imprisonment) or non-violent (e.g., boycotts, strikes).

Deterrence and Control Theory

This page explores deterrence as a form of social control and introduces control theory in criminology.

Deterrence uses the threat of punishment to prevent crime and has two key assumptions:

1. Individual deterrence: Punishment deters offenders from committing future crimes
2. General deterrence: Fear of punishment prevents others from committing similar crimes

Example: "Getting tough on crime" policies like mandatory minimum sentences aim to deter criminal behavior.

Control theory in criminology, developed by Travis Hirschi, examines why people follow the law. It proposes that people conform due to their bonds with society, which include:

• Attachment: Caring about others' opinions • Commitment: Investment in a law-abiding life • Involvement: Participation in legal activities • Belief: Socialization to follow norms

Highlight: Strong social bonds make individuals less likely to engage in criminal behavior.

Example: Youth clubs keep young people busy with legal activities, strengthening their bonds to society.

Parenting and Social Control

This page focuses on the role of parenting in creating social bonds that prevent offending behavior.

Gottfredson and Hirschi argue that low self-control, resulting from poor socialization and inconsistent parenting, is a major factor in delinquency.

Highlight: Lack of parental supervision is an important factor in juvenile delinquency.

To prevent delinquency, parents should:

• Be involved in teenagers' lives and spend time with them • Take an interest in their activities outside of school • Show a strong commitment to their children's well-being

Example: Parents who actively participate in their children's lives help strengthen social bonds and reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior.

The page also mentions Walter Reckless's work, which emphasizes the importance of parenting in social control, though specific details are not provided in the transcript.

Vocabulary: Socialization refers to the process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their society.

Understanding the role of parenting in social control is crucial for developing effective criminology unit 4 strategies and interventions to prevent juvenile delinquency.

Parenting and Delinquency Prevention

This final section focuses on the role of parenting in social control and delinquency prevention.

Definition: Parental supervision and involvement are crucial factors in preventing juvenile delinquency.

Highlight: Gottfredson and Hirschi argue that low self-control results from poor socialization and inconsistent parenting.

Example: Youth clubs and structured activities help keep young people engaged in legal activities.

Quote: "Parents should be involved in teenagers' lives & spend time with them."

Internal Forms of Social Control

This page introduces the concept of internal forms of social control in criminology. Internal controls come from within an individual and shape behavior through personality, morals, and values.

The superego, proposed by Sigmund Freud, plays a crucial role in internal social control. It represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgment and aspirations.

Definition: The superego is part of our personality that acts as the "angel on the shoulder," developing as we grow and keeping the id and ego in check.

Example: Without the superego, behavior would be erratic and compulsive, acting on every thought.

Rational ideology is another form of internal control, guiding behavior through conscience and feelings of guilt or anxiety.

Highlight: Internalization of norms and morals through socialization helps individuals conform to societal expectations.

Tradition and culture also contribute to internal control by teaching family and societal norms.

Example: The belief that Santa won't bring presents to misbehaving children is a form of internal control through socialization.