Concept Scroll LogoConceptScroll
Join or Sign In
SociologyClass 11Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology

Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology | Class 11 Sociology Notes

By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read

Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology | Class 11 Sociology Notes

Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology from Class 11 Sociology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.

SOCIETY AND SOCIAL CONTROL

This section explains social control as the various means by which society regulates the behavior of its members to maintain order. Social control encompasses social processes, techniques, and strategies used to regulate individual and group behavior. It includes both the use of force and the enforcement of values and norms to maintain social order. Functionalist sociologists view social control as necessary for societal stability, restraining deviant behavior and mitigating tensions. Conflict theorists, however, see social control as a tool used by dominant social classes to impose their will on others, with laws reflecting the interests of the powerful. Social control can be informal or formal. Informal social control is personal, unofficial, and uncodified, including smiles, frowns, ridicule, criticism, and body language. Informal control is often effective in day-to-day life and exercised by family, religion, kinship, and peer groups. Formal social control involves codified laws and institutions like the police and the state. Physical violence is the ultimate means of social control, though usually used as a last resort; the mere threat often suffices. The section discusses how social control can be based on fraudulent claims or social perceptions, illustrated by a child threatening to call an elder brother. Sanctions, positive or negative, reinforce expected behavior. Deviance refers to actions violating norms, which vary across cultures and time. The section includes a real-world example of an 'honour killing' to illustrate social control enforcing caste norms. The dynamic nature of social control reflects the ongoing negotiation between individual behavior and societal expectations.

🧪 Activity: Activity 10: Collect newspaper reports where dominant groups impose control or punish role violations; Activity 11: Reflect on informal social control in peer groups and instances of bullying or exclusion.

🔗 Connection: Concludes the chapter by linking social control to earlier concepts of roles, status, and stratification, emphasizing the dynamic regulation of society.

Frequently asked questions

Find out more about the life of the late President K. R. Narayanan. Discuss the concept of ascription and achieved status, caste and class in this context.

K. R. Narayanan was born into a Dalit family, which is traditionally considered a lower caste in India. Despite the ascribed status of his birth, he achieved high status through education and political career, eventually becoming the President of India. This illustrates the interplay of ascribed status (caste) and achieved status (education, political success). His life shows that while caste as an ascribed status influences social position, achieved status can enable mobility and success beyond

What kinds of jobs are considered prestigious in your society? Compare these with your friends. Discuss the similarities and differences. Try and understand the causes for the same.

Prestigious jobs vary by society and culture but often include professions like doctors, engineers, teachers, and government officials. Comparing with friends may reveal common perceptions of prestige based on income, education, social respect, or cultural values. Differences may arise due to personal experiences or community values. Causes for these perceptions include economic benefits, social recognition, historical importance, and media portrayal.

Find out how a domestic worker or a construction labourer faces role conflict.

Domestic workers and construction labourers often face role conflict due to incompatible demands from their work and family roles. For example, a domestic worker may have to manage household responsibilities while meeting the expectations of employers, leading to stress and conflicting priorities. Similarly, a construction labourer may struggle to balance long working hours with family obligations. These conflicts arise because the roles have different expectations that may be difficult to fulfi

Why do we need to use special terms and concepts in sociology?

Special terms and concepts in sociology are necessary because they provide a precise and shared language to describe complex social phenomena. Sociology studies human society, social relationships, and institutions, which are often abstract and multifaceted. Using specialized terms helps sociologists communicate ideas clearly, avoid ambiguity, and analyze social realities systematically. These concepts also help in comparing societies, understanding social patterns, and developing theories.

Ready to ace this chapter?

Get the full Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology chapter — interactive notes, diagrams, worked solutions, polls and a free practice quiz — in the ConceptScroll app.

Open in ConceptScroll →

Study smarter with ConceptScroll

Daily NCERT-aligned reels, AI doubt solving and chapter quizzes — all free.

Start learning free
#cbse notes#class 11#ncert#sociology

Continue reading

← All articles