Social Control
IDEOLOGICAL
SOCIAL CONTROL:
The attempt to manipulate the consciousness of citizens so
that they accept the ruling ideology and refuse to be moved by competing
ideologies.
Socialization
·
Lifelong
process by which people acquire cultural competency and knowledge about the
“rules” of a social organization.
·
Bears
the primary responsibility for teaching us the attitudes, values, and behavior
considered appropriate by our parents (our society). They are responsible for our development of the self.
·
The
self is the part of us that acts with self awareness, exercises self control,
exhibits a conscious and guilt, and makes decisions about who we are, what
we’ve been and who we hope to be.
·
The
school teaches the behavioral standards of the community through speech, dress,
and demeanor. Schools indoctrinate
their pupils in the correct attitudes about work, respect for authority, and
patriotism.
·
Religious
groups provide guidelines for the behavior of members and punishment for
disobedience. It reinforces the status
quo by teaching
that people should accept an imperfect society (poverty, racism, and war)
because they are born sinners. The
downtrodden are advised to accept their lot because they will be rewarded in
the next life.” (p. 140)
·
"Athletics
contains within itself--in its rules, procedures, training, and sentiments--a
paradigm of adult expectations regarding youth" (Matza, 1964:207). Sports also reinforce US values among
participants.
·
“Films
and television programs promote images and ideologies that support imperialism,
capitalism, racism, sexism, militarism, authoritarian violence, vigilantism,
and anti-working class antagonism” (Parenti 1992).
·
Government
ideological control occurs in political speeches, books, and legislation. One government effort is to convince the
public that capitalism is good and socialism is bad.
DIRECT
SOCIAL CONTROL:
The
attempts to punish or neutralize--render powerless--organizations or
individuals who deviate from society's norms.
·
"The
function of social welfare is to diffuse social unrest through direct
government intervention" (p. 145).
·
Science
and medicine have devised a number of techniques for shaping and controlling
the behavior of non-conformists.
·
The
government, as a legitimate holder of power in society, is directly involved in
control of its residents. This includes
protection of their lives and property.
It requires that order be maintained within the society. There is a clear mandate for the government
to apprehend and punish criminals.