Sociology

The structure of a society is based on the principle of predictability of social and individual behavior patterns.  This determines how we act and react in our individual as well as social capacity.  This predictability of behavior is sought with a view to achieve certain objectives, and is mostly done by rewarding and promoting certain activities and behavior patterns on one end of the social spectrum, and discouraging andor punishing another set of activities and behavior patterns on the other end.

Introduction

Control Theory  First Instance
Our nasal cavitys mucous membrane continuously produces wet mucus to remove dust particles and pathogens from the air flowing through the cavity.  In most cases, the cilia lining the nasal cavity moves this mucus to the oral cavity where we inadvertently swallow it  However, in most cases, the mucus stuck closer to the nostril opening cannot be thus removed, hence causing it to lose its moisture, become hard and cause a sense of irritation.  It is thus a natural reaction when we try to dislodge the offending object.

A 1995 study on rhinotillexomania (compulsive nose picking) even found that 91 of the participants admitted to the habit of nose picking.  However, despite the fact that it is the bodys natural reaction to dislodge an irritating object and that a lot of people may privately indulge in this, the action is still frowned upon in most societies and elicits responses ranging from disgust to revulsion.  (Jefferson, 1995)

Unfortunately, like most children, I too have picked my nose during the early years of my childhood.  I specifically remember one particular instance of indulging in this habit while in public  with an utter disregard for either my horrified parents or the other adults present in our house at that time, whose reactions had ranged between pretending that they could not see me, mild amusement, nervousness, attempts to suppress any regurgitative instincts, frowning, seeking my parents attention and, of course, chiding me for my unruly behavior.

While some may argue that we need to be more considerate towards our bodys natural needs, I for one would feel rightly snubbed if  heavens forbid  I ever find myself engaging in this exercise in public again, even if in the company of complete and total strangers.  Nose-picking, hence, is rightly seen as a deviant behavior, and is even treated as a disorder in severe cases.  While it breaks no laws stated in statute books or otherwise, it does contradict the very code of social behavior that an individual is expected to adhere to when in the presence of others.

Therefore, using Travis Hirshis control theory, one can understand why it is important to actively discourage this habit in children from the very early stages of childhood through outer controls exerted in the form of parental disapproval and peer ridicule since it is these very controls that later reinforces a persons inner controls, such as a sense of social etiquettes, enabling them not only to resist indulging in nose picking while in public, but also to actively discourage it in others.  (Browne, 2005)  

Control Theory  Second Instance
While eating out with others, we have to be mindful of not only our table manners, but also of the cultural and religious sensitivities of the host andor the guests present at the table.  It is, thus, understandable how instances of belching or excessive drinking are frowned upon on at all such social occasions.  Once again, no one can be booked for having broken the law if they indulge in a loud burp  reminiscent of Homer Simpsons beer burp  at the end of their course, but they will be rightly frowned upon by all those present on the occasion.  It is once again the case of behavior patterns that are considered as not acceptableappropriate in a social setting.

I, fortunately, do not indulge in belching or burping while eating out with others.  However, if ever dining out with a largely vegetarian crowd, I still choose to order non-vegetarian foodstuff and gladly consume it in their presence.  In doing so, I am often made to feel like a deviant with responses ranging from frowns of disapproval to active attempts at converting me away from a non-vegetarian way of life.

Once again, using Travis Hirshis control theory, I find myself subjected to outer controls of public perceptionsdisapproval  something that Hirshi had also touched upon in his labeling theory  but I still willingly choose to disregard these outer controls with the realization that while some may find my actions questionable, I am simply opting to exercise my rights to order from the menu that what I would like to eat and not what people would like to see me eating.  (Browne, 2005)  

As pointed out by Howard Becker, it is not the act itself, but the social reaction to it that makes it deviant or otherwise.  And since there is no such thing as a universal monolithic societal structure with each society is in a state of constant flux, what is viewed as conforming or deviant in nature may vary greatly from one society to another, from one point in time to another, and even from one dining table to another.  Therefore, when I choose to order stake when dining out with friends who are vegetarian, I do so with the realization that while they may find my choice poor, I would not be judged so by my non-vegetarian friends. (Becker, 1986)
 
Conclusion
In my opinion, actors and forces representing outer and inner control can have a significant bearing on an individuals leaning towards or away from a course of action and, hence, their propensity to be seen as deviating from or conforming to established social standards.   Similarly, as Hirshi has pointed out in the labeling theory, these controls greatly influence how a person is perceived by other members of the society and, more importantly, how he is presented to others.  Once again, this has a significant bearing on an individuals actions.  Therefore, as opposed to Edwin Sutherlands differential association theory, while an individuals personality and their past social experiences play an important role in most of their decisionsactions, these do not operate in isolation and most individuals are almost-always mindful of the outer and inner controls in their life  - as pointed out by Hirshi. (Browne, 2005)