Social control can function and be studied as either an independent or dependent variable

Full Answer Section

• Independent Variable: Implementation of community policing strategies (e.g., police-community partnerships, problem-oriented policing).

• Dependent Variable: Social control (measured by crime rates, public perceptions of safety, police-community relations).

• Result: The meta-analysis found that community policing programs were associated with reduced crime rates and improved public perceptions of safety, suggesting that these strategies can enhance social control.

Potential Causes and Consequences of Social Control:

• Causes:

  • Social Factors: Inequality, poverty, cultural norms, societal values, and the presence of social disorganization can all contribute to the need for and implementation of social control mechanisms.

  • Individual Factors: Personality traits, moral development, and individual experiences shape how individuals respond to and internalize social control.

• Consequences:

  • Positive: Social control can maintain order, reduce crime and deviance, promote conformity, and facilitate social cohesion.

  • Negative: Excessive or oppressive forms of social control can lead to alienation, resentment, resistance, and even social unrest. Social control can also be used to suppress dissent and enforce unjust social hierarchies.

Conclusion:

Understanding social control as both a cause and an effect is crucial for effective research. By studying it from both perspectives, we can gain deeper insights into the complexities of human behavior, societal dynamics, and the development of effective social control mechanisms that promote both order and justice.

Sample Answer

Social Control: A Dual Role in Research

Social control, the mechanisms that ensure conformity to societal norms and rules, can be studied in two distinct ways:

1. Social Control as an Independent Variable: Here, social control is seen as a cause of a particular outcome or behavior. Researchers examine how different forms of social control (formal, informal, internalized) influence individuals' actions and choices.

2. Social Control as a Dependent Variable: In this case, social control is the outcome being studied. Researchers investigate the factors that influence the development, implementation, and effectiveness of social control mechanisms within a particular context.

Examples from Journal Articles:

Social Control as an Independent Variable:

Example: A study examining the impact of parental monitoring on adolescent delinquency (e.g., "Parental Monitoring and Delinquency: A Meta-Analysis," by Patterson et al., 1992).

• Independent Variable: Parental monitoring (a form of informal social control).

• Dependent Variable: Adolescent delinquency.

• Result: The study found a strong negative correlation between parental monitoring and delinquency, suggesting that increased monitoring reduces the likelihood of delinquent behavior.

Social Control as a Dependent Variable:

Example: A study analyzing the effectiveness of community policing strategies in reducing crime (e.g., "Community Policing and Crime: A Meta-Analysis," by Braga et al., 2004).