Sociology 2253A/B Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Informal Social Control, Talk Radio, Actus Reus

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2253A/B
• Professor: Brenda Kobayashi

Document Summary

Informal social control: not exercised through official group mechanisms, no specially designated persons in charge of enforcement, formal social control, arise when informal controls alone are insufficient to maintain conformity to certain norms. Instituted by the state and authorized to enforce conformity. Incorporated into the institutions of our society (also imposed by agencies other than the state, such as churches, business, universities, clubs: administered by individuals who occupy positions within these institutions. If someone commits a harm against you, you can press charges, call the police, etc. but you do not do it back to them. Canadian population (illustrating the inequalities within the canadian system: conflict theorists would argue that the prison systems warehouse the most disadvantaged within our society. Criminology vs. criminal justice: two distinct approaches to studying crime, they do overlap however they are two different fields of study, criminology: scientific approach to studying criminal behaviour from a social perspective.