What term refers to isolating individuals to exert control over their lives and achieve order?

The term that refers to isolating individuals to exert control over their lives and achieve order is "Total Institution." This concept, introduced by sociologist Erving Goffman, describes organizations that are designed to control all aspects of an individual's life, often through confinement. Total institutions, such as prisons, mental health facilities, and military boot camps, isolate individuals from the broader society and impose strict rules and routines, eliminating personal autonomy to ensure compliance and order.

Total institutions work by creating an environment where the management of daily life is tightly regulated, thus allowing those in authority to maintain control and facilitate the goals of the institution. This separation from society creates a unique setting where external influences are limited, and the institution becomes the primary context for the individuals' experiences and identities. In this setting, personal identity often shifts as individuals adapt to the rigid structure imposed by the institution.

Understanding this concept is crucial in the study of sociology, as it highlights the dynamics of power, social control, and the effects of isolation on individuals and their relationships within a larger societal framework.