Three assumptions about the nature of humans provide the basis for Chinese policies related to social control and crime. These assumptions are that human beings are basically social in nature, that their thoughts direct their actions, and that humans are malleable and are shaped by the social environment. Other Chinese beliefs that affect social control policies are the strong official commitment to a moral standard, the view that the government should develop people's social nature, the belief that models are a crucial source of learning, and the view that small problems will become big problems if they are left alone. In addition, China has traditionally handled social control matters informally. Based on these beliefs, Chinese officials explain deviant behavior as resulting from family influences, bad influences from other countries, other bad ideas, improper education, and the lack of a good social order during the Cultural Revolution. All these ideas influence the social control mechanisms like mediation committees and ideological education.