Sociology: 3.2 Social Control

1. Sociology: 3.2Social Control North High School Mr. Calvert

2. Enforcing the Norms of Society • Internalization—process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual’s personality, thus conditioning that individual to conform to society’s expectations (waiting in line) • Stopping at a red light, picking up your knife and fork when you eat. • Sanctions—rewards and punishments used to enforce conformity to the norms.

3. Social Control • Formal Sanction-rewards or punishments by a formal organization or regulatory agency such as the government; includes promotions, awards, fines, or low grades • Informal Sanction-spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval by an individual or group such as a standing ovation, gifts, gossip, or ridicule

4. Social Control • Principal means of social control is self-control, learned through internalization. • Agents of social control include family, church, school, police, courts, public opinion • No society can survive long without an effective means of social control.