key term - Total institution

Definition

A total institution is a place where people are isolated from the rest of society and controlled by the administrative staff, leading to a loss of individuality as every aspect of their life is under surveillance and regulation. It encompasses settings such as prisons, military boot camps, and psychiatric hospitals.

Related terms

Deinstitutionalization: The process of releasing individuals from institutional settings (like psychiatric hospitals) into community-based care.

Bureaucracy:

A system of administration marked by hierarchical structure, fixed rules, and a focus on procedure over individuality.

Socialization:

The lifelong process through which people learn the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to their society