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 is about people internalizing social norms and monitoring their own behavior to keep in line with expectations. For functionalists, social order rests on shared values and predictable conduct. When individuals police themselves, there’s less need for constant external control, so behavior stays stable and conforming. This internal regulation helps maintain social cohesion and continuity across institutions, rather than disrupting it. So, self-surveillance is seen as a mechanism that reinforces stability and conformity. The idea that it creates exploitation or inequality reflects other theoretical angles, that it undermines family cohesion contradicts the supportive role of shared norms, and claiming it has no impact ignores this stabilizing function.