NCJ Number
115072
Journal
Revija za Kriminialistiko in Kriminologijo Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: (1988) Pages: 218-229
Date Published
1988
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This essay explores the importance of unwritten laws prescribed by tradition -- such as customs, rituals, morals, myths, taboos, prejudices, symbols, and legends -- as mechanisms of control and coercion.
Abstract
These unwritten laws represent a social force which makes people create, repeat, initiate, observe, and involuntarily and unconsciously adopt rules of behavior. They also can be used to obtain obedience and conformity since these mechanisms function as the means of pressure and repression in cases of criminality and reward expected behavior. In general, they create between controllers and their objects certain relationships, and the quality of these relationships depends above all on the balance of power. Therefore, unwritten rules of morals, habits, customs, etc. as well as the conformity they introduce should be modified. Conservatism and traditionalism often present obstacles to development, and stereotypes are not generally considered creative. This can result in conflicts which can be resolved in various ways, particularly by law which adopts these rules and integrates them in its system of behavior regulation. 25 footnotes. (Author abstract modified)