Informal Social Control - GCSE Sociology Definition

Informal social control refers to the ways in which society uses unspoken and unwritten rules to influence individual behaviour and maintain social order.

Unlike formal social controls such as laws and regulations enforced by official institutions, informal social control is exercised through customs, norms, and expectations that are communicated through everyday interactions. This can include family influence, peer pressure, and the expectations of community members or significant others, all of which help guide individuals to conform to societal standards.

For GCSE Sociology students, it's important to recognise that informal social control is a subtle yet powerful form of maintaining order and cohesion within groups and communities.