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The Pros And Cons Of Social Control

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Social control revolves around why people conform or break social norms in society by exploring macro-sociological and micro-sociological perspectives. Macro-sociological perspective studies the formal system such as groups, laws, and enforcement that prohibit bad behavior. While the micro-sociological focuses on an individual’s internal belief, values and self-controls. For example, social control believes forces such as family, friends, religion, and moral beliefs regulate human behavior and plays an essential part in creating programs to help groups develop social control methods through programs and laws. Today, researchers believe both healthy internal and external controls are important in helping people refrain from delinquent behavior. …show more content…
However, everyone from a poor area does not become delinquent, so the social disorganization alone does provide a complete overview without adding the effects of one’s experiences. With this in mind, Walter Reckless suggested the containment theory, which revolves around one’s internal responsibility, self-worth, control, and coping mechanisms that prevent delinquent behavior. Reckless believes deviant behavior is related to internal strains and external pressures blocking one from achieving their goals (Alder, Laufer, & Mueller, 2013, p. 172). For example, if an individual has self-confidence and strong values along with external controls, they are less likely to become delinquent. On the other hand, if they have strong social bonds, but weak self-concept and impulsive behavior, they are still chances for deviant behavior (Alder, Laufer, & Mueller, 2013, p. 172). Therefore, internal and external factors are thought to be important in controlling behavior and conforming to social …show more content…
Like Hirschi, the life course theory believes family, peers, and school associations are related to childhood delinquency and extend into adult criminal behavior when these support mechanisms are lacking (Alder, Laufer, & Mueller, 2013, p. 178). In addition, the General Theory of Crime by Hirschi and Gottfredson explains personal and social control as having an effect on delinquent behavior. This theory of thought discusses poor self-control on the part of the individual as a result of inadequate socialization, parental, and peer relations (Alder, Laufer, & Mueller, 2013, p. 179). Agnew also argued the importance of social control, socialization, strain, self-control, and labeling, biopsychological, and poor support as the main contributors to deviant behavior (Alder, Laufer, & Mueller, 2013, p.

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