SOCIAL CONTROL

By Divya Mishra 2024BALLB004

Avni Singh 2024BALLB008
Anushka yadav 2024BALLB010
Abhyuday Parmar 2024BALLB039
 MEANING OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
Process by which society regulates behavior
Ensures individuals follow norms and values
Maintains discipline and order
Prevents chaos and deviance
FUNCTIONS OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
Maintains social order and stability
Promotes conformity to norms
Prevents deviant behavior
Creates social harmony
Guides behavior through rewards and
punishments
TYPES OF SOCIAL CONTROL
Formal Social Control
Informal Social Control
Positive Social Control
Negative Social Control
Direct Social Control
Indirect Social Control
 DISTINCTION BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL SOCIAL
CONTROL
Basis Formal Social Control Informal Social Control

Control through unwritten norms and social

Meaning Control enforced through official rules and laws
expectations

Nature Structured and organized Unstructured and spontaneous

Source State, government, legal institutions Family, society, culture, religion

Rules Written and codified Unwritten and traditional

Enforcement By authorities (police, courts) By social groups (family, peers)

Method Punishment, fines, imprisonment Approval, disapproval, praise, shame

Scope Applies to entire society uniformly Varies across cultures and groups

Flexibility Less flexible More flexible and adaptable

 INFORMAL AGENCIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
1. Customs
Customs are long-established practices that are widely accepted and followed
by a society over generations.
They develop slowly and become part of cultural identity
People follow them out of habit and respect for tradition
They regulate routine aspects of life
Examples:
Greeting elders respectfully
Celebrating festivals in a particular way
Importance:
Customs create continuity and stability in society. Even without strict
enforcement, people tend to follow them because they are deeply ingrained.
2. Folkways
The term folkways was introduced by William Graham Sumner.
Folkways are basic, everyday norms that guide casual behavior in society.
They are not morally strict
Violating them is not a serious offense
They vary across cultures
Examples:
Saying “thank you” or “sorry”
Dress codes in different settings
Table manners
Importance:
Folkways help maintain smooth social interaction. If broken, the reaction is
usually mild (like disapproval or awkwardness).
3. Mores
Mores are strongly held norms based on morality and ethics.
They define what is considered right and wrong
Violation is taken seriously
Often linked to moral or ethical values
Examples:
Honesty and truthfulness
Respecting others’ rights
Not harming others
Importance:
Mores are crucial for maintaining the moral order of society. Violating them
can lead to strong reactions like criticism, exclusion, or shame.
4. Religion
Religion is one of the most powerful informal agencies of social control.
Provides a moral framework for behavior
Teaches concepts of right and wrong
Encourages discipline through beliefs like reward (heaven) and
punishment (hell, karma)
Examples:
Practicing honesty due to religious teachings
Following rituals and ethical codes
👉 Importance:
Religion influences behavior at a deep psychological level, often guiding
people even when no one is watching.
 FORMAL AGENCIES OF SOCIAL CONTROL
1. Law
Law is the most important formal agency of social control.
It consists of written rules and regulations created by the state
Enforced by institutions like police, courts, and legal systems
Applies equally to all members of society (in principle)
Examples:
Criminal laws (theft, assault)
Traffic rules
Constitutional provisions
👉 Importance:
Law provides a clear standard of acceptable behavior and ensures order
through defined punishments like fines or imprisonment.
2. Public Opinion
Public opinion refers to the collective views and attitudes of people in society.
Though not always written, it becomes a powerful formal force in modern
societies
Influences decisions of governments, institutions, and individuals
Can pressure people to conform
Examples:
Public outrage leading to stricter laws
Social approval/disapproval of certain actions
👉 Importance:
Public opinion acts as a regulatory force, shaping behavior through approval,
criticism, or social pressure—especially in democratic societies.
3. Media
Media includes newspapers, television, and digital platforms.
Spreads information, values, and norms
Influences how people think and behave
Highlights acceptable and unacceptable actions
Examples:
News exposing crime or corruption
Social media trends shaping behavior
Awareness campaigns (e.g., anti-smoking, education)
👉 Importance:
Media acts as a watchdog and influencer, reinforcing norms and sometimes
even shaping public opinion and law.
4. Coercion
Coercion means the use of force or threat to ensure compliance.
Used when people do not follow rules voluntarily
Involves physical or legal force
Usually applied by the state or authorities
Examples:
Police action
Arrests and imprisonment
Use of authority to enforce rules
👉 Importance:
Coercion ensures that rules are followed even when individuals resist, making
it a last-resort mechanism to maintain order.
 Positive Social Control
Encourages desirable behavior through rewards and
appreciation
Reinforces actions that align with social norms
Motivates individuals to repeat good behavior
Examples:
Praise from teachers or parents
Awards, promotions
Social recognition
 Negative Social Control
Discourages undesirable behavior through punishment
Aims to prevent violation of norms and rules
Creates fear of consequences
Examples:
Fines and imprisonment
Criticism or social rejection
Penalties for misconduct
 Direct Social Control
Exercised through immediate and personal interactions
Comes from close relationships
Involves direct supervision or guidance
Examples:
Parents disciplining children
Teachers correcting students
Peer pressure in friend groups
 Indirect Social Control
Operates through internalized values and beliefs
No direct enforcement—behavior guided by conscience
Learned through socialization
Examples:
Feeling guilty for doing something wrong
Following traditions and moral values
Acting ethically even when no one is watching
 CONCLUSION
Social control is essential for the smooth functioning of
society as it regulates individual behavior and maintains
order. Both formal and informal mechanisms work together
—while formal control ensures discipline through laws and
authority, informal control shapes behavior through values,
traditions, and social pressure. Together, they create a
balance between external enforcement and internal self-
regulation, helping maintain stability, harmony, and
continuity in society.
THANK
YOU