Final answer:
Social control refers to the enforcement of norms to maintain social order, employing both rewards and sanctions. Strong social bonds, such as attachment and commitment, and cultural beliefs, including religious tenets, encourage individuals to conform to societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social control can be defined as the regulation and enforcement of norms to maintain social order, which is the arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society's members base their daily lives. When individuals violate social norms, societies may respond with various sanctions to encourage conformity and discourage deviant behavior. For instance, social control may involve positive reinforcements such as smiles and thank-yous for small acts of kindness, or negative consequences like speeding tickets for driving above the speed limit. The effectiveness of social control depends on four types of social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. These bonds influence the likelihood of individuals conforming to society's expectations.
Control theory suggests that deviance results from disconnection with society. Strong social bonds reduce this tendency, as individuals attached to others care about their opinions and are more likely to follow societal norms. Religious and ethical beliefs also play significant roles in defining acceptable behaviors and maintaining social control, as seen in the adherence to principles like the Ten Commandments in some religious communities. In group settings, conformity and obedience can be significantly influenced by the desire to fit in and the presence of authority figures. Advertisers and those in power may exploit these aspects of social control to influence individual attitudes and behaviors.