Most people, most of the time, follow the norms and values of their society without being forced to. Sociologists use the term social order to describe this general pattern of predictable, cooperative behaviour, which allows society to function smoothly on a daily basis.
Social order does not happen automatically. It is maintained through social control: the methods societies use to encourage conformity and discourage behaviour that breaks norms and values. Sociologists distinguish between two types of social control. Formal social control is carried out by official bodies, such as the police and courts, using written laws. Informal social control is carried out through everyday relationships, such as a parent’s disapproval or a friend’s teasing.
Social control usually works through sanctions: rewards or punishments used to encourage particular behaviour. Positive sanctions reward approved behaviour, for example praise or a good grade. Negative sanctions punish disapproved behaviour, for example a fine, a detention, or simply disapproving looks from other people.
| Key terms |
| Social order: The generally predictable, cooperative pattern of behaviour that allows a society to function. |
| Social control: The methods a society uses to encourage conformity to its norms and values and to discourage deviation from them. |
| Formal social control: Social control carried out by official bodies, such as the police and courts, using written laws. |
| Informal social control: Social control carried out through everyday relationships, such as family, friends and community, without official rules. |
| Sanctions: Rewards (positive sanctions) or punishments (negative sanctions) used to encourage or discourage particular behaviour. |
Most of the social control that shapes everyday behaviour is informal rather than formal. A person is far more likely to be influenced by their family’s disapproval or their friends’ opinions on a daily basis than by the threat of arrest.
| Key Takeaways |
| Social order refers to society‘s generally predictable, cooperative pattern of behaviour. |
| Formal social control uses official institutions and written laws, such as the police and courts. |
| Informal social control works through everyday relationships, such as family and friends. |
| Sanctions can be positive (rewarding approved behaviour) or negative (punishing disapproved behaviour). |
| Check your understanding |
| 1. Give one example of formal social control and one example of informal social control. You could: think of a rule enforced by an official institution, and a rule enforced only by people around you. |
| 2. Explain, with an example, the difference between a positive sanction and a negative sanction. You could: use a school-based example, such as a reward for good behaviour and a punishment for breaking a rule. |
