The Framework of Social Control: A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Mechanisms and

Impacts

INTRODUCTION:

In sociology, the study of social control occupies a place of central importance. The existence and
persistence of organised social life is not possible without some minimum degree of control over its
members. Social control is needed for maintaining social order. A social order refers to a system of people,
relationships and customs, all these together operating smoothly to accomplish the work of a society (Horton
and Hunt 1981). No society can function effectively unless behaviour can be predicted. Orderliness depends
on a network of roles. The network of reciprocal rights and duties is kept in force through social control.

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL CONTROL:

Definition:

The term ‘Social Control’ is used in many ways. To compel the individuals to conform to societal norms
and standards is generally thought to be the be-all and end-all of social control. However, it is a narrow
meaning of social control. In broader sense, social control encompasses the regulation of entire social order
aiming to achieve social ideals and objectives.

Social control has been defined as "the way in which the entire social order adheres and maintains itself-
how it operates as a changing equilibrium" (MacIver & Page), "the patterns of pressure which a society
exerts to maintain order and establish rules" (Ogburn and Nimcoff), the process by which social order is
(i) established, and (ii) maintained" (Landis), "a collective. term for those processes, planned or
unplanned, by which individuals are taught, persuaded, or compelled to conform to the usages and life
values of groups"(Roucek).

Thus social control may be defined as any social or cultural means by which systematic and relatively
consistent restraints are imposed upon individual behaviour and by which human beings are persuaded and
motivated to behave in accordance with the traditions, patterns and value framework thought necessary for
the smooth functioning of a group or society.

Social control operates at three levels: group over group-when one group determines the behaviour of the
other group; the group over its members. when the group controls the conduct of its own members, and
individuals over their fellows- when the individuals influence the responses of other individuals.

Another set of definition emphasises the aspect of conformity to norms and expectations of the group as the
most important element in social control. The emphasis is on all those means and processes whereby a group
or a society secures conformity of its member to its expectations. In other words, social control refers to
those ways used by a society to bring its way ward members back into line. When we use the term social
control, we are essentially referring to the processes and means which limit deviations from social norms
(Horton and Hunt 1981; Berger 1963; Ogburn and Nimcoff 1978).

The main points that emerge from all these definitions about the meaning of social controls are:

i)The term refers essentially to means and processes whereby certain goals are to be achieved.

ii) The two most important goals sought to be achieved by social control are:

• Conformity to norms and expectations of the group;

• Maintenance of order in society.

iii) There is an element of influence, persuasion or compulsion in control. The individual or a group is
directed to act in a particular way. Conformity is expected or imposed irrespective of whether one likes it or
not.

iv) The scope of social control is vast. It may operate at different levels. One group may seek to control
another group; a group may control its own members or an individual may seek to control another
individual. The scope of control ranges from the management of deviants to social planning.

PURPOSE OF SOCIAL CONTROL:

Social control aims at bringing about conformity, solidarity and continuity of a particular group or society.
Social control attempts to achieve the following purposes ----

• To bring the behaviour of individuals and groups in tune with the established norms of society.
• To bring solidarity and uniformity in the social organizations.
• To establish stability in the social relations.
• To exercise control over social tensions and conflicts.

IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL CONTROL:

Social control is also necessary to maintain the healthy traditions of our society and to transfer them from
one generation to another. Traditions are the safe custodians of our heritage and culture. Through social
control people are motivated and compelled to follow the traditions.

The unity in group can only be maintained by the effective system of social control. The group members
belong to different socio-cultural backgrounds and want to achieve different personal objectives. To keep all
the members united by striving towards group goals is made feasible by social control which does not allow
selfish interests of the individuals to come in the way of group goals.

Social control is also required to bring compatibility in thoughts, ideas, behaviour patterns, attitudes and
perceptions of the individuals, because devoid of it, society cannot function effectively.
Social control provides social security to the people. Human beings are so helpless and weak that their
existence is not possible without the help of others. Social control keeps a check on the forces endangering
the safety and security of the people and prepare them to face the realities of the world. Social control is
badly needed to bring the selfish nature of man under control because normally, nobody feels happy being
controlled, subordinated and directed by others. Everyone wants to control, exercise authority on the
subordinates and direct as many persons as possible, but the fact of the. matter is that society is a mix of
persons who direct and those who are directed, those who guide and also those who are guided. In fact,
social control, by keeping the 'free will' of people under a corrective restraint, facilitates the smooth
functioning of society.

GOALS OF SOCIAL CONTROL :

From many of the definitions of social control, which we have reviewed earlier, it becomes clear that social
control is supposed to achieve several important goals. Some of these goals are:

• Conformity:

One of the aims of social control is to bring about conformity in society. Social control mechanisms are
employed to control, check or prevent deviant behaviour. The objective of social control, is to safeguard the
group against such dysfunctional consequences of deviant behaviour.

• Solidarity:

This is a very important objective of social control. As Maclver and Page (1985) have noted, social control
ensures order and solidarity in society. Society is constituted of several parts and units. These different parts
have to maintain an equilibrium with each other, and with the whole to ensure social solidarity and stability.
The mechanisms of social control are directed at maintaining this equilibrium among the parts, and between
the parts and the whole.

• Social Change:

Social control is employed not only to conserve the existing patterns, but also sometimes to induce desired
social changes. In our country, many methods of persuasion, inducement, and compulsion are used to bring
about desired changes in some social customs, attitudes and behaviour. Prescribing the age of marriage.

METHODS OF SOCIAL CONTROL :

Methods of social control can be broken into two types: (i) informal, and (ii) formal. The informal type of
control is casual, unwritten. It lacks regulation, scheduling and organisation. The informal types consists of
casual praise, ridicule, gossip and ostracism. The formal type is codified, scheduled organised, or regulated
in some way, as in promotion, demotion, satire, monetary payment, mass media etc. (Horton and Hunt
1981).
Informal Social Control:

This is also known as primary social control, as it is more effective in what sociologists call primary groups.
The primary groups are relatively more homogeneous, small, compact and intimate groups. Members are
tied to each other, and to the group by feelings of personal loyalty. A family, playgroups, neighbourhood,
rural community, and a simple primitive society are some examples of such compact social groupings. In
such societies every individual, is constantly surrounded by very potent and subtle mechanisms of social
control. Within a family the individual is under the control of his or her parents and other family members.
Family, in turn, is under the control of neighbourhood or kinship groups, and these, in turn, are under the
watchful control of the whole society. Thus, no individual or group can be free from social control.

Formal Social Control:

This is also known as secondary social control as it is usually found in larger, secondary social groups.
Modern complex societies such as ours, are good examples of such social groupings. In such societies we
find a large number of groups, which are characterised by impersonal relations, and are oriented to certain
specific objectives.

Means of Social Control:

Social control may denote the various specialised means employed by a society, to maintain order. It may
also be used to categorise institutions insofar as they contribute specifically to order and stability.

• Custom:

Social codes found in every society provide standardised ways of doing things. These ways, known as
customs, have come to be accepted in the group or society. Some degree of pressure is always exerted on
the individual to make one conform to customs. In case, they are violated the group applies some
sanctions or penalties of varying degrees of severity. The severity would depend on the importance
attached to the particular customary regulation.

Custom is sustained by common acceptance. Informal social pressures are brought to bear, in the case of
violation of customs. Violation of mores, on the other hand, inspire intense reaction and the punishment
may involve expulsion from the group, harsh ridicule, imprisonment or in some cases even death. To
function effectively in a culture it is imperative that one learns the appropriate folkways (customs and
conventions) and mores of that culture. Let us now see the role of law as a means of social control.

• Law:

Certain norms become laws when a society feels strongly, about them, Laws are formal standardised
expressions of norms, enacted by legislative bodies to regulate certain types of behaviour. Laws not
merely state what behaviours are permitted and not permitted, but they also state the punishment for
violating the law.
As we shift from simple societies to the modern ones, the role of law as a mechanism of social control
assumes greater significance. In modern, complex societies the more informal types of social control are
weakened. Though law may itself be based on custom, it has three distinct characteristics which separate
it from custom: first, it has politically as it is upheld by the political authority of the state. Second, it has
uniformity, as it is applicable throughout the jurisdiction of the state on all groups or parts of society.
Third, it has penal sanction, as each law is enforced on the strength of penalty imposed by the State
(Courts) in case of violation. There are distinct agencies such as police, courts, prisons etc. to enforce the
law. However, when a law does not reflect folkways and mores, its enforcement is likely to be ignored
or given low priority. For example, even though the minimum age at marriage for girls and boys in India
is fixed by law, many communities ignore these prescriptions. When there is a conflict between custom
and law, it becomes difficult to impose the law.

• Religion:

Sociologists are interested in studying how religion is organised, and what impact it has on the members
of a society in terms of controlling their behaviour. They are also interested in the kinds of belief system
developed by people, in different situations and circumstances, and how religious beliefs change over
time as external situations and circumstances change. All religions are seen to have the following
elements: (a) things considered sacred (b) a set of believers (c) a set of rituals and ceremonies (d) a
system of beliefs such as a creed, doctrine or a holy book (e) a certain form of organisation.

Religion contributes to stability and order in society in that it reinforces social norms. providing
sanctions for violation of norms and reinforcing basic values. Today, with the explosion of scientific
knowledge, some customs, religious and moral interpretations of behaviour are no longer considered
binding or accepted. The sacred books of most of religions include rules for ordering social
relationships. It is especially explicit about matters pertaining to the family, marriage, divorce and
inheritance. Though laws are challenging some of the practices upheld by religious teachings, beliefs and
experiences associated with religion are still seen to be essential for both personal identity, and social
cohesion.

• Education:

The institution of education helps to control human behaviour through socialisation of the young and
adult members of society. The different levels of formal education transmit the culture of society, to
individuals within the society. In discharging their socialisation function, schools and colleges transmit
many of the society’s values. The individuals learn to conform to rules, be honest, be diligent and to co-
operate with others etc. Another value of education is that it prepares students for their adult
occupational roles. Education is further valued for the understanding it imparts, about the social and
physical environment. However, the fact that education tries to impart such values, is no indication that
everyone who goes to school and college learns and accepts these values. Were the educational system
and educators and other socialisers always successful, there would be no deviance and no social conflict.
This brings us to the topic of family.

• Family:

Across the world, the institution of family performs certain important functions. These include
socialisation, imparting of affection and emotional support, regulation of sex and reproduction. Family is
not only an important agency of socialisation but of social control as well. It is in the family that an
individual normally has his most intimate, and important social relation. Some of human beings’ most
basic needs, both physical and psychological are fulfilled within the family. Though the more formal and
more coercive measures of social control are generally absent in the family, other informal means such
as ridicule, criticism, disapproval, loss of prestige, withdrawal of rewards etc. are very potent means of
control. In fact, an individual always seeks emotional support of his or her near and dear ones in the
family in timers of stress and tension. The mere threat of withdrawal of this support, is sufficient to bring
the recalcitrant member back into line. Every family has its own set of moral values and customs. These
are enforced upon its members, particularly the younger ones through disciplinary measures and a
system if rewards and punishments.

• Leadership:

It can play a very important role in social control. It develops out of the process of interaction itself.
Leaders have guided the destinies of groups, communities, and nations. If the leader enjoys group
support, his or her suggestions and directions lead the members towards some common values and goals,
and may help to promote order and stability in society.

• Mass Media:

In traditional smaller societies face to face contact was the only means of communication. In modern
technological societies the media of mass communication, such as newspapers, radio and television, are
a means of not only communication but also of social control. Much of the public opinion and
propaganda, for example, (and other social and cultural groups) make use of these means to mould
public opinion, and to change or control attitudes and behaviour of the vast mass of population. New
values and life styles, fashions, wants, ideas etc. are thrust upon the public with a view to redirect and
control their behaviour in a particular way.

• Force:

Though some sociologists have neglected or under emphasised the element of force or physical coercion
in social relationships, the role of force in social control cannot be underestimated. In some types of
societies, such as the totalitarian states and colonial regimes, physical force and violence are used as
significant instruments of control. In fact, it can be asserted that physical violence is the oldest and
ultimate means of social control. Even modern, liberal democratic societies maintain police and armed
forces. This signifies the fact that the resort to force and violence is the ultimate answer to many issues,
when other means have failed. On the other hand, communal and caste violence, are examples of how
force is used by interested groups to control and coerce each other though it is not legally sanctioned.

• Folkways:

Folkways play an important role in social control. These are developed by their repeated use. Folkways
are indicative of social norms or standards of behaviour that are socially approved but not considered
necessarily of moral significance. Folkways provide traditional definitions of proper ways of behaving in
a particular society or group. Individuals conform to folkways automatically without rational analysis.
They are based primarily upon customs, passed on from generation to generation through the
socialization of children. Folkways are not enforced by law but form part and parcel of informal social
control. Since the people in society follow them, the children also follow. Thus, folkways help as a
means of social control.

• Mores:

When a feeling of group's well-being is attached to folkways, they take the form of mores. Mores refer
to those social norms that provide the moral standard of behaviour of a group or society. Conformity to
mores is not optional and Social Control Introduction to Society non-conformity is severely sanctioned.
Group members feel an emotional attachment to the mores and their safe preservation is thought to be
essential to the group's welfare. In common parlance, the term is confined to those standards of
behaviour that depend upon informal sanctions and have not been enacted into law. Mores may be
categorized as positive and negative. Under the category of positive mores, people are instructed to
follow certain things; for example, "always speak truth, take pity on poor, be honest to the core, obey
your parents and teachers, etc." Negative mores check us from doing certain things - e.g. "don't commit
theft, don't tell a lie, don't hurt anybody, etc". Mores are the means of informal and unorganized form of
social control. Individual cannot dare not to abide by mores as they feel that their group's welfare will be
in peril. Mores are more influential and powerful to the formally laid down rules and regulations.

• Public Opinion:

Public opinion means a conclusion or judgement of the people about a particular event, object or
situation. It is a specific manifestation of the people's attitude towards a particular problem. Public
opinion can be termed as the most important means of social control. Public opinion has always been a
prime concern for the policy makers in all the systems of governance. In fact, the success or failure of
any scheme or plan largely depends upon the favourable/unfavourable public opinion. However, it may
be borne in mind that public opinion is not always rational; sometimes it finds expression in opposition
to the legal or constitutionally laid down provisions. It may also be mentioned that it is no1 a conclusive
decision of all the people or majority of the people or a single person. But even then, it is important
 because it affects the collective interests of the group in questions. The press, radio, television,
newspapers, magazines, leaders, political parties, religious and educational institutions all play a decisive
role in the formation of public opinion. Public opinion by making the wishes of the people known to the
policy makers facilitates effective policy making, leading to larger public happiness.

• State:

State is one of the secondary agencies of social control. It is a political form of human association by
which society is organized under the agency of government that has legitimate sovereignty over a
territorial area, authority over all the members of the society and absolute right to use force whenever
necessary in order to control the behaviour of its members. State is an organised and formal system of
social control. State controls the human behaviour by an arrangement of law, police, jail, judiciary,
government, military and intelligence department. It crushes the power of those who do not conform. It
gives the welfare of its members as a top priority and arranges for their livelihood employment. In the
complex societies of today, the role of state in maintaining social control is paramount. People obey the
state orders because they either know that these are. in their interest or that if they don't obey, they will
be penalised and punished as per law of the state. Thus they act in conformity with the orders of the state
which helps in maintaining social control.

Mechanisms of Social Control:

Every society has devised various mechanisms to exercise control. Social control mechanisms are viewed by
sociologists as all those social arrangements that

(i) prevent such strains as may develop from the individual’s place in the social structure and
(ii) prevent the strains from leading to deviance (see Brearley 1947:65). Every society has certain
means to exercise social control, and there are clear consequences of exercising social control for
promoting stability and conformity in societies.

Types of Mechanisms:

Mechanisms of social control can be classified into the following four categories:

Preventive mechanisms: These mechanisms are designed to prevent such situations from developing, that
might lead to deviance Socialisation, social pressures, establishment of role priorities, force are some of the
mechanisms through which conformity is promoted or the occurrence of deviance is prevented.

Mechanisms to manage tensions: Institutionalised safety valves like humour, games and sports, leisure,
religious rituals are regarded as outlets for the tensions generated by social restraints, and cultural
inconsistencies within a society.

Mechanisms to check or change deviant behaviour: Sanctions are used by every society to bring about
conformity, and check or change deviant behaviour. Sanctions have been classified into :
a) Psychological sanctions : Negative sanctions are reproof, ridicule non- acceptance, ostracism etc.
Positive sanctions include acceptance in the group, praise, invitation to inner circle events, verbal or physical
pat on the back gifts etc.

b) Physical sanctions : These are mostly negative. The most important forms of physical sanctions are
expulsion, physical punishment and extermination.

Economic sanctions: These include positive rewards like promotion of a loyal sincere worker, grant of
tenders to civic minded businessmen etc., or negative sanctions like threat of loss or reduction in one’s
income (e.g. threat of discharge by employer may prevent the employee from continuing his strike),
economic boycott etc.

Propaganda Mechanisms: Another important mechanism that can bring about change in the desired
direction, is propaganda or moulding public opinion. Propaganda is a deliberate attempt to control the
behaviour and interrelationships of members in order to change the feelings, attitudes and values. For
example, the efforts of the government to control population growth through family planning propaganda
(Horton and Hunt 1981).

LIMITS ON SOCIAL CONTROL:

Effectiveness of social control is limited due to the following factors:

• Each group is organised around norms and values. Social control is intended to check deviation from
these standards. Yet, it is not possible to contain deviation completely. some deviation from
prescribed norms will always be there. Each group or society has to determine the limit of tolerance
of deviant conduct and thus set a realistic limit on social control.
• The effectiveness of social control is also limited by the degree of consistency in the cultural
directives. If the cultural prescriptions are uncertain and inconsistent, then social control cannot
operate successfully. This is why in a rapidly changing society, in which normative standards
become inconsistent, mechanisms of social control are generally weak. Individuals may not know
what is expected of them in a particular situation.
• In a complex society, it is not generally possible to impose social control uniformly on all groups
which are divided on the basis of class, caste, religion, race etc. Sometimes the uniform application
of law also encounters numerous difficulties. In our country, despite the constitutional directive to
have a uniform civil code, it has not been possible to evolve one so far.

Social control implies huge economic costs to the society. The control of deviance requires a
disproportionate share of societal attention and resources. Huge expenditure has to be incurred on the
establishment of social control agencies such as the police, prisons, mental hospitals, etc. There is a limit
beyond which a poor country such as ours cannot afford to deploy such resources at the cost of other
development programmes.
CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, social control is a fundamental aspect of society, working through a complex interplay of
informal and formal mechanisms to ensure societal cohesion by encouraging conformity to established
norms. While vital for maintaining order, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential for abuse of power and
the need for social control mechanisms to be flexible and adaptable to evolving societal values.

Social control refers generally to societal and political mechanisms or processes that regulate individual and
group behaviour, leading to conformity and compliance to the rules of a given society, state, or social group.
Many mechanisms of social control are cross-cultural, if only in the control mechanisms used to prevent the
establishment of chaos or anomie. Some theorists, such as Émile Durkheim, refer to this form of control as
regulation. Sociologists identify two basic forms of social controls.

Social control theory began to be studied as a separate field in the early 20th century. The means to enforce
social control can be either formal or informal. Sociologist Edward A. Ross argued that belief systems exert
a greater control on human behaviour than laws imposed by government, no matter what form the beliefs
take.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

❖ Abraham, M.F. (2014). Contemporary Sociology: An Introduction to Concepts and

Theories. (Ed.). The Oxford University Press.
❖ Cohen, S. (1985). Visions of Social Control. Polity Press. Cambridge.
❖ Eshleman, J.R. and Cashion, B.C. (1983). Sociology : An Introduction. Little
Brown & Co. Boston.
❖ Horton, P.B. and Hunt, C.L. (1981). Sociology. McGraw Hill. London.
❖ MacIver, R.M. and Page, C.H., (1992). Society: An Introductory Analysis.
Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London.
❖ Ogburn, W.V. and Nimcoff, M. (1979). A Handbook of Sociology. Eurasia
Publishing House. New Delhi.
❖ Ross, E.A. (1901). Social Control. The Macmillan Co. New York.
❖ Scott, J.P. & Scott S.F. (Eds.). (1971). Social Control and Social Change. The
University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
❖ Unit-5 Social Control. (2017). IGNOU.
http://egyankosh.ac.in//handle/123456789/17120