Sociology booklet 1/2

• What is social control in sociology?

  It describes how society is kept in order by ensuring conformity to laws and norms.
• What are the two types of social control?

  Formal and Informal social control.
• What are formal agencies of social control?

  Institutions like the police or government that enforce the law.
• What is the role of informal agencies of social control?

  To ensure people follow societal norms and values, often through less severe punishments.
• How do formal agencies differ from informal agencies in terms of punishment severity?

  Formal agencies can impose serious punishments like imprisonment, while informal agencies impose lighter sanctions like detentions.
• What is the main idea behind the effectiveness of informal agencies of social control?

  • They socialize the majority into conforming.
  • They deal with the minority who become criminal.
• Who is Francesca Heidensohn?

  She is a feminist sociologist who studied why women commit less crime than men.
• What was the focus of Heidensohn's 1985 study?

  To explain the lower crime rates among women compared to men.
• How does Heidensohn explain women's lower crime rates?

  She attributes it to patriarchal structures that control women in both public and private spheres.
• What are the two spheres where women are controlled according to Heidensohn?

  • Private Sphere (the home)
  • Public Sphere (schools, workplaces)
• What are some ways women are controlled in the private sphere?

  Fear of damaging reputation and lack of independence.
• How does the public sphere control women according to Heidensohn?

  Through sanctions like detentions and societal expectations of behavior.
• What is the impact of being a stay-at-home mom on women's crime rates?

  It influences security and reduces the likelihood of engaging in crime.
• What is the "liberation thesis" in feminist criminology?

  It suggests that women are experiencing less social control now that they have more rights, leading to increased female crime.
• What are the key concepts related to social control in the OCR study material?

  • Functionalism: Reaffirming boundaries
  • Marxism: Class struggles and crime
  • Feminism: Chivalry thesis and liberation thesis
  • Interactionism: Crime as a social construct
• What does the chivalry thesis suggest?

  Women are treated more leniently by the criminal justice system due to societal norms.
• What is the role of the bourgeoisie in Marxist theory regarding crime?

  They maintain power and control over the proletariat, influencing crime and punishment.
• How does interactionism view crime?

  As a social construct that is normalized within society.
• What is double deviance in the context of gender and crime?

  It refers to women being judged more harshly for deviating from societal norms.
• What are blue-collar crimes?

  Crimes committed by the working class.
• What are white-collar crimes?

  Crimes committed by members of the upper class or professionals.
• How does the community share moral values according to the study material?

  By establishing what is right and wrong, which influences social control.
• What is the significance of the term "habitus" in relation to crime?

  It refers to the ingrained habits and dispositions that influence behavior, including criminality.
• What is the role of the criminal justice system (CJS) in relation to gender and crime?

  It has been argued that the CJS treats women more leniently due to societal perceptions.
• What is the primary focus of functionalism in social control?

  To reaffirm societal boundaries and norms.
• How does Marxism view the relationship between crime and class?

  It sees crime as a result of class struggles and the oppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.
• What is the impact of societal changes on crime rates according to the study material?

  Societal changes can lead to shifts in moral values, influencing crime rates and perceptions of deviance.
• What do Functionalists argue about small amounts of crime in society?

  They argue that small amounts of crime are positive for society.
• Why do Functionalists believe a little bit of crime is necessary?

  It helps maintain a healthy level of social control.
• What is a "degradation ceremony" according to Durkheim?

  It is a public display reminding individuals of the consequences of breaking the law.
• What is the purpose of publicizing the punishment of offenders?

  To deter people from committing crimes.
• Can you give an example of a 'degradation ceremony'?

  Public executions in medieval times.
• Why do Functionalists believe that crime has a positive impact on society?

  Because it reminds individuals of the consequences of breaking the law.
• How does crime unite members of society according to Functionalists?

  It brings them together through shared grief or outrage.
• What does the term "collective conscience" refer to?

  It refers to the shared moral values and beliefs of a community.
• How do Functionalists view the relationship between deviance and social change?

  They believe all social change begins with some form of deviance.