What is meant by social control ?

Social control is undertaken in two ways. It happens either by the use of force or by institutions through norms, values and inherent in different social institutions which slowly acceptable to the people.

The term ‘social control, is usually used by sociologists to refer to the second type of regulations in which the appeal to values and norms reduces or mitigates tensions and conflicts among individuals and between groups.

Edward A. Ross initially used the concept of social control for maintaining order in society.

However, his use of the term was rather vague. Yet, one gathers that he was chiefly concerned with those regulative institutions that insure individual behaviour in conformity with group demands.

Edward A. Ross showed the significant role that belief in the supernatural ceremonies, public opinion, morals, art, education, law and related phenomena play in maintaining the noramative structure of society.