Social control, conformity and resistance — common mistakes

In your exam answers, distinguish clearly between deviance and resistance. While all resistance involves deviance, not all deviance is resistance. Use specific sociological studies, such as Willis's 'Learning to Labour', to illustrate how a group's actions can be interpreted as a form of conscious resistance to authority rather than just mindless rule-breaking.

No. This is a common misconception. A crime is an act that violates the formal, written laws of a state. Deviance is a much broader concept, referring to any behaviour that violates social norms. Many deviant acts, such as facing the wrong way in a lift or having a brightly coloured mohawk, are not criminal. Conversely, while most crimes are considered deviant, some (like illegal parking) may be seen as only minor deviations.

Not according to all sociological perspectives. While Marxists and Feminists often view social control as a tool of oppression used by the powerful to maintain inequality, Functionalists see it as a positive and necessary force. For Functionalists like Durkheim, social control maintains social order, prevents anomie (normlessness), and ensures society can function smoothly and predictably for the benefit of all its members.

Although related, they are distinct concepts. Conformity involves changing your behaviour to fit in with a group that does not have official authority over you; it is yielding to group pressure. For example, dressing like your friends. Obedience, on the other hand, is following a direct order or command from a figure of authority, such as a police officer or a teacher. The key difference is the presence of an explicit command from an authority figure.