Which statement best distinguishes internal and external social control?

Which statement best distinguishes internal and external social control?

• A. Internal Social Control relies on formal sanctions; External Social Control relies on identity
• B. Internalization involves identity-based norms; External uses sanctions by others or agencies
• C. Internal sanctions rely on identity; External relies on individual discipline
• D. External Social Control relies on personal beliefs; Internal uses police power

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how social order is kept: whether norms are kept because people have internalized them or because they face external pressures and sanctions. Internal social control comes from within the person—norms become part of their identity and self-concept, so they follow them because it aligns with who they think they are. External social control comes from outside the individual—sanctions, rewards, rules, and penalties imposed by others or by institutions like families, peers, schools, or the state. The statement that internalization involves identity-based norms and external uses sanctions by others or agencies captures this distinction most accurately. It shows internal control as something tied to how a person identifies with norms, and external control as enforcement through outside pressures or penalties. Other options mix up where norms originate or how enforcement works. For example, internal control isn’t about formal sanctions, and external control isn’t just about personal discipline. Reversing the sources or attributing external control to personal beliefs also misplaces the mechanisms involved.

The key idea is how social order is kept: whether norms are kept because people have internalized them or because they face external pressures and sanctions. Internal social control comes from within the person—norms become part of their identity and self-concept, so they follow them because it aligns with who they think they are. External social control comes from outside the individual—sanctions, rewards, rules, and penalties imposed by others or by institutions like families, peers, schools, or the state.

The statement that internalization involves identity-based norms and external uses sanctions by others or agencies captures this distinction most accurately. It shows internal control as something tied to how a person identifies with norms, and external control as enforcement through outside pressures or penalties.

Other options mix up where norms originate or how enforcement works. For example, internal control isn’t about formal sanctions, and external control isn’t just about personal discipline. Reversing the sources or attributing external control to personal beliefs also misplaces the mechanisms involved.