What is the functionalist view of self-surveillance?

What is the functionalist view of self-surveillance?

• A. It creates exploitation and inequality
• B. It ensures social stability and conformity
• C. It undermines family cohesion
• D. It has no impact on society

Answer: (D)

Self-surveillance, from a functionalist standpoint, acts as an internal mechanism that keeps society stable by encouraging people to monitor and regulate their own behaviour to meet shared norms. When individuals internalize expectations—such as being reliable, respectful, and cooperative—they reduce deviance and make social interactions more predictable, which helps institutions like the family, schools, and workplaces function smoothly. This internal policing supports social cohesion because it reinforces common values across generations and across different parts of the social system, making collective life more orderly. It isn’t about exploitation or having no impact; its effect is to promote stability and conformity, aligning individual actions with the needs of the broader social order.

Self-surveillance, from a functionalist standpoint, acts as an internal mechanism that keeps society stable by encouraging people to monitor and regulate their own behaviour to meet shared norms. When individuals internalize expectations—such as being reliable, respectful, and cooperative—they reduce deviance and make social interactions more predictable, which helps institutions like the family, schools, and workplaces function smoothly. This internal policing supports social cohesion because it reinforces common values across generations and across different parts of the social system, making collective life more orderly. It isn’t about exploitation or having no impact; its effect is to promote stability and conformity, aligning individual actions with the needs of the broader social order.