WJEC Criminology Exam Questions with 100% Correct Answers

Internal social control Correct Answer Controls that come from within ourselves, from personalities and values, that lead us to conform to the rules of society. Moral conscience (superego) Correct Answer Forms through early socialisation. Forms part of our personality, telling us right from wrong and inflicts feelings of guilt. Restrains the selfish 'animal' urges of the Id and allows us to exercise self-control. Traditions and cultures Correct Answer We accept traditions and religions of the family that form part of our identity. Eg, Muslim tradition of fasting during Ramadan. Conforming to these is an important way of confirming one's identity. Internalising social rules Correct Answer We internalise social rules and traditions through the process of socialisation in the family or wider social groups. Society's rules and moral codes then become our own personal rules. We use them to tell us what is right from wrong, and so we keep within the law (rational ideology). External social control Correct Answer Agencies that aim to ensure we conform to its expectations and keep to its rules. Agencies Correct Answer Organisations or institutions that impose rules on us to make us behave in particular ways. May include parents, peer groups, teachers, who give us positive sanctions to those conforming and negative ones to those who aren't. Echos Skinner's operant learning theory, as punishments deter undesirable behaviour and rewards encourage acceptable behaviour. Criminal justice system Correct Answer Police have the power to stop and search, arrest, detain and question. CPS can charge a suspect and prosecute them in court. Judges and magistrates have powers to bail the accused or remand them in custody, and sentence the guilty. Prison service can detain prisoners against their will for the duration of their sentence and punish their misbehaviour. Coercion Correct Answer Use of threat or force in order to make someone do, or stop doing, something. May involve physical or psychological violence or the threat to do it.