Means of Social Control: Informal and Formal Means of Social Control! Informal social control involves conformity to the norms and values of society as well as adoption of a belief system learned through the process of socialization. Sociologist have classified social control into two types, formal social control and informal social control. The difference between formal and informal social control is actually quite interesting. Social control is a concept within the disciplines of the social sciences and within political science. The means by which individuals are induced or compelled to on form to the usages and life values of the group are so numerous and varied that a classification is not possible, E.A. Informal social control cannot maintain social order in large and complex groups because of its sanctions, which are less severe, and can be easily ignored by people. Formal social control includes the criminal Justice system, involving the police, courts and prisons. Informal social control Many times, it's not because of the formal social control that people refrain from doing certain things, but the reaction of those around them, which is the informal social control. Such crimes can be eliminated from society via social control. The means to enforce social control can be either formal or informal. Two Types of Social Control . Formal Social Control. Agencies include the Houses of Parliament, where laws are debated and made. Social control tends to take two forms: informal or formal. Social Control Informal and Formal Social Control o Informal Social Control Informal social control is used casually to enforce norms. Sociologist Edward A. Ross argued that belief systems exert a greater control on human behavior than laws imposed by government, no matter what form the beliefs take. Social control includes informal social control, which is a type of social control that stems from the approval or disapproval of people we associate with and consider important. Formal social control is the use of the law and ultimately force to control our behaviour.The agencies of social control are those legally sanctioned bodies or organisations which set down the law and make sure that it is followed.. Informal social control consists of mechanisms which are not based upon formal rules but are carried family, friends and member of the society everyday. -A mass of formal, written rules and procedures-A promise of career rewards for conformity and effective performance Together they ensure conformity and keep control in the hands of the organization People who want to conform are advantaged by the system, but for the opposite type of people this does not give them an incentive The courts are used to decide whether an individual accused of a crime is guilty or not. Minor crimes also comes under the category of deviance. Social control theory began to be studied as a separate field in the early 20th century. Formal social control is however, more sever, and therefore, suitable for larger groups. Formal v. Informal Sanctions ... – May vary according to the cohesiveness of community structure and type of crime • Informal sanctions can enhance the impact and outcome of formal sanctions ... • Shame is a powerful tool of informal social control as opposed to formal social control. Informal social control includes: smiles laughter ridicule raising an eyebrow Social Control Law and Society–Some norms are so important to a society that they are formalized into laws controlling people’s behaviors.