Scheme 10.1. Types of Informal Social Control (by J. Crosby)

Social control refers to group and individual, organized and unorganized monitoring of behavior in order to prevent deviations from social norms, punish or correct deviants.

Social control can be manifested both in the form of a direct reaction of the immediate surrounding social environment (for example, the approval or disapproval of our relatives, friends or bosses of any of our actions), and in the form of constant or periodic impact of social norms of society (through the media, at work, in the learning process). It is important that in this case, social control is not brought into the system, it acts from case to case and its carriers are not professional controllers, but people of other professions. Such social control is called informal.

Where professional controllers of social norms operate, professional control systems are usually created that constantly monitor compliance with certain social norms, record violations and apply sanctions provided by law. Such social control is called formal.

Types of informal social control according to Crosby. Social reward. They are expressed in such forms as smiles, approving nods, handshakes, words, matches and toasts, benevolent attitude of elders and bosses. Social rewards encourage compliance with generally accepted norms and rules (conformity) and indirectly condemn their violation (deviation).

Punishment. Types of informal punishment are a displeased look, intonation, facial expressions expressing resentment, dissatisfaction; criticism, aggressive posture, pressure, threats, verbal boycott, ostracism, physical violence. Punishment, as a rule, is directly directed against specific violations of social norms. The use of certain forms of punishment depends both on the perceptiveness of the offender, his understanding of the degree of guilt and the conformity of his behavior, and on the level of development of personal qualities and the needs of people in their immediate environment who are carrying out the punishment.

The belief is such an effect on the deviant that makes him comprehend his actions that violate social norms, and change his behavior. Conviction is neutral and tolerant towards the offender. This type of informal control acts more on the mind than on feelings and emotions. Those who engage in persuasion act, as a rule, deliberately: selects arguments, tries to show all the social benefits of behavioral changes for the deviant, and also show his group interests, which are not respected if he violates the rules.

Revaluation of norms. In this case, the behavior that was considered to be deviant is evaluated as normal.

Scheme 10.2. Classification of types of formal social control

by (T. Parsons)

Insulation. This type of social control is used to separate the inveterate, most dangerous deviants from society. Forms of isolation are pre-trial (in pre-trial detention cells) and imprisonment. This type of social control allows maintaining the high status of social norms, removing their constant and malicious violators from society and depriving them of a negative example for those who are prone to deviation. Isolation, according to T. Parsons, does not provide for rehabilitation attempts.

Isolation. This type of control provides for the restriction of the deviant’s contacts with others, that is, not complete, but partial isolation from society. In this case, the deviants retain the opportunity to return to society when they are ready to fulfill social norms. Separation forms can be, for example, placement in a psychiatric hospital for a limited period, exile or expulsion from the country.

Rehabilitation. This type of social control prepares the deviant for returning to society, for fulfilling his social roles. Social psychologists create special rehabilitation programs that take into account the peculiarities of isolation of deviants and their violation of social norms.

Scheme 10.3. Formal social control system

The system of formal social control is formed by professional organizations; this system is created and coordinated by state bodies. It acts on the basis of legislative acts. The main goal of the formal social control system is to create, recreate and maintain order, and to comply with the rules established by law.

Police (militia). As a result of constant interaction with various deviants, militiamen have a peculiar vision of the world around them and assessments of people falling into their field of vision. It should be remembered that they are not so much “faulting” as they are fulfilling the requirements of their chiefs in the service, their functional duties. Therefore, in contact (detention) with the police, you should clearly separate your behavior from the deviant and show a positive attitude towards the order and the police providing social control. Then from their side one can expect a positive or condescending attitude.

Court. The task of the court as an organization of social control is to determine a fair punishment that takes into account the gravity of the violation of social norms. The difference between the court and the police is that the latter can detain any suspected violator and separate him from society. The courts, on the other hand, recognize anyone as a criminal only after presenting the evidence, and for their absence they release any suspect.

Prison. In the case of imprisonment, the deviant becomes part of a special social group that exists in a special social system consisting of social groups of warders and prisoners, each of which has its own statuses and roles, its own social types.