Abstract
In 20th century, theory of social control began to be studied when belief system had great control on behavior of human beings more than specific laws. Social control is enforced by formal or informal means. The social values in any individual are as a result of informal social control which is exercised without stating the rules and expressed by use of customs and norms.
Most traditional societies use informal social control embedded in customary culture and socialization of its members establish social order. There is sanctioning of deviance in informal control which benefit conformity garners. Individual society norms are relative in different cultures and different times.
Introduction
Social control referrers to mechanisms put in place to regulate behavior of individuals in the society or a group of people. The purpose of such a regulation is to provide conformity making individuals comply with rules governing a particular society or even a group of people. Most of mechanisms used in social control are applicable in more than one culture especially if they are intended to preserve peace. There are basically two forms of social control according to sociologist; where values and norms are internalized.
This form is referred to as informal social control mechanism. The other form tries to come up with sanctions which are meant to either punish or reward individuals on their conduct.
Informal social control mechanisms
Informal control is intended to punish people or reward them for a behavior that is unacceptable or an acceptable conduct. This form of social control mechanism is generally practiced by society without regard to laid down explicit rules. Instead it is practiced through people’s customs and traditions as well as any other socially accepted value which the individuals have inherited.
It dominates the norms in the society and uses suctions that are informal like criticism, ridicule and sarcasm on an individual where the society feels he or she is wrong from people’s expectations. It also uses shaming, disapproval and guilt through which the society expresses its judgments.
Where the conduct of a person in the society is extreme that person may face social discrimination and even be excluded from the society. Controlling the society become more of controlling individual’s mind as he is so much ingrained in his personality. This method is commonly used by traditional societies where it is embedded in their culture on members socializing with each other to maintain social order. Umberson, 1987 pp17-19)
Examples
At a gathering of women a look that is disapproving can communicate that people do not find it okay to flirt with the pastor. However this may not apply with members of a criminal group because they may interpret that you are planning to report their activities to the police.
When people are travelling in a bus it is an informal social control for a healthy youth to stand for very elderly person , a sick person or even a pregnant woman to allow him or her to sit comfortably. The society expects this to be offered without request and failure to do that would mean the youth is not respectful. The other passengers would look at the youth with disapproval to communicate that something has gone wrong.
A party organized to celebrate a child’s birthday is expected to be canceled or postponed until further notice if a member of the family dies two days before the day scheduled for the party. If one goes ahead to make such celebrations, the society interprets that he is not mourning. Relatives and friends will criticize such an act and elders are even sent to talk to such a person. However it would not appear out of place if the same tragedy occurs to a neighboring house and friends who are not relative continue with their celebrations.
If a man always makes exaggerated good comments on food cooked by the house girl and always comments negatively on food cooked by his wife, his wife make arrangements to fire the house girl in his presence. The wife will do this without giving any valid reason to communicate to the husband that she is suspecting him of unfaithfulness. This is interpreted that even if the house girl is a better cook than the wife, the husband is not expected to make comments which can create suspicion. (Umberson, 1987 pp20-21)
Formal social control mechanism
Just like informal control, formal social control is used to punish that behavior which is unacceptable. This mode of control is characterized by laws to govern behavior. These are explicit rules of behavior in written form to govern the society and they must apply equally to all the people. It should be noted that different societies apply formal rules differently. This explains why government always employs a group of people where laws exists whose purpose is to enforce the law.
The police, judiciary and sometimes the armed forces are the main agencies of this control method. It should however be noted that not all formal rules are laws. For example when a student is admitted into a university he is expected to follow the rules that govern behavior in that university.
Failure to follow these rules would result to corresponding form of punishment. Formal social control mechanism is intended to inform everyone in the society about those behaviors that are acceptable and those which are not. It is recommended in controlling very large groups. It also applies in a society where the contact between the members is not on day-to-day basis. (Greenberg, 1986 pp33-35)
Examples of formal social control mechanism
If a driver is caught double parking he is given a ticket indicating the fine he should pay and he if fails to pay he is taken to the court of law to answer the charge. If parking is being controlled informally the driver would just receive an ugly look from the colleagues. Police from city councils are kept on alert to maintain this control.
It is illegal for anyone to murder another person and if this happen and the person accused happen to be sane he can be sentenced to death if proved guilty. Informal action would just have people distancing themselves from this person or even stoning him to death.
A husband who discovers that his wife has been committing adultery when he is away can use formal control and seek divorce from the court of law as opposed to informal control of beating up the wife and then expel her from their matrimonial home.
A driver who is careless in driving and is over speeding and thus risking the lives of passengers and other motorist is formally charged in a court of law by traffic policemen and fined or jailed as a lesson to him never to repeat the mistake.
Conclusion
Both forms of social control are relevant in any society because they play unique roles. For example in the absence of the law enforcers or when an individual is ignorant of the exisisting laws, formal laws may not solve a conflict at hand and the only alternative is to engage in informal means to solve the crisis.
On the other hand if the nature of the crime is extremely damaging and especially when force is being used to interfere with the rights of other people, intervention of the law must be required. However, informal control based on beliefs has a greater influence in controlling human behavior than laid down specific laws. This is true without regard to the form of belief one may have. (Greenberg, 1986 pp36-37)
References
Greenberg S. (1986): Informal and Formal Social control: Urban neighborhoods, pp. 33-37.
Umberson D. (1987): social control as a dimension of social integration: JSTOR, pp. 17-21.