Tradition and Culture in Internal Social Control

Tradition and culture play significant roles in internal forms of social control in criminology, despite originating from external factors. Conforming to these elements is an internal process that affirms our identity and sense of belonging.

Example: Following cultural traditions helps individuals feel accepted and combats the fear of social exclusion or being shunned by peers.

Internalizing Social Rules, Norms, and Morality

The process of internalizing social rules, norms, and morality is crucial for internal social control:

1. As we develop into adulthood, we learn to internalize and accept the traditions and cultural norms that construct our superego.
2. These internalized rules become part of our conscience and identity, even if we no longer live in the community that informed these rules.
3. We accept these norms as "part of who we are."

Highlight: The cultural norms and social rules we grew up with remain part of our conscience, contributing to internal social control definition in sociology.

Socialization and Internal Social Control

The process of internalizing social norms and values is called "socialization":

1. Family is the primary agency of socialization.
2. As we grow, other influences compete with family:
   • Education
   • Peers
   • Media
   • Wider community

Vocabulary: Socialization is the process of internalizing notions of right and wrong (morals and values) from various social influences.

These influences shape our moral conscience (superego) throughout our lives, contributing to the development of internal forms of social control in criminology.

Internal Forms of Social Control

Internal forms of social control in criminology refer to the mechanisms that persuade or compel individuals to conform to society's norms, laws, and expectations through internalized values and beliefs. These forms of control are integral to shaping behavior and maintaining social order.

Definition: Social control involves persuading or compelling people to conform to society's norms, laws, and expectations.

There are two main forms of social control:

1. Internal forms
2. External forms

Internal forms of social control are rooted in our own values and beliefs that form our personality. We conform because we have internalized a sense of right and wrong, which constitutes our morals.

Highlight: The moral conscience and superego play crucial roles in internal social control, as described in Freud's theory of personality.

Freud's Theory of Personality

Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic theory of personality outlines three key components of the mind:

1. Id

   Definition: The instinctual part of the mind that responds immediately to wants and desires. It is chaotic, animal-like, impulsive, seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.

2. Ego

   Definition: The decision-making part of the mind that uses reason and logic, trying to get the id and superego to cooperate in real life.

3. Superego

   Definition: The voice that incorporates values and morals learned from one's parents and society. It tries to persuade the id to turn to moral goals rather than pleasure-seeking.

Highlight: The superego acts as a moral conscience, reminding us of the consequences of our decisions and punishing us internally with feelings of guilt and shame.