Social Control and Conformity Flashcards

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What is social control?

Social control is how society gets people to follow rules and norms.

Conformity is when people match their behaviour to social norms and rules.

An unwritten rule about how to behave in a group or society.

Formal uses written rules and official sanctions, like laws and school rules. Informal uses social pressure and reactions, like praise or gossip.

A reward or a punishment used to make people follow norms.

A reward for following rules, such as praise, a certificate or house points.

A punishment for breaking rules, such as a telling-off, detention or a fine.

The police and the courts.

The family and the peer group.

When people control themselves because they have learned norms and values and feel guilt or shame if they break them.

When other people or organisations use rewards or punishments to shape someone’s behaviour.

To fit in and gain approval, and to avoid punishment.