Social Control and Sanctions
Social Control People Follow Social Norms And Expect Others to as Well Because They Have Internalized the Norms They Feel are Useful and Appropriate. When a Person Has Not Internalized a Norm, Society Uses Sanctions to Motivate His or Her Conformity. Conformity Video
Social Control
Sanctions & Social Control Sanctions Can Be... Positive Negative Formal Informal Social Control is Necessary to Ensure That a Society Functions Smoothly. (?)
Positive Sanctions An Action That Rewards a Particular Behavior → Begins Early in Life Through Family Interaction What Are Some Examples That you see everyday? - Family - Teachers - Employers - Teammates - Crowds - child learning to use the “big boy toilet” - uses it - parents give him candy - reinforces behavior
Negative Sanctions What Are Some Examples That You see everyday? Used to Discourage Undesired Behavior → A Punishment or Threat of Punishment Used to Enforce Conformity → If The Threat is Not Enough, The Actual Punishment is There to Remind You That The Conformity Rule is Expected What Are Some Examples That You see everyday? Frowns - Ridicule - Rejection - Fines - Imprisonment - Death Penalty - *The more important the norm is to social stability, the more serious the negative sanction “no parking zone” - parking ticket - Fine
What are Some Examples You See Everyday? Formal Sanctions Reward (positive) or Punishment (negative) Given by a Formal Organization or Regulatory Agency. → School, Business, Government What are Some Examples You See Everyday? negative = low grades, school suspensions, fired from job, fines, imprisonment, death
What Are Some Examples You See Everyday? Informal Sanctions Spontaneous Expression of Approval or Disapproval Given By an Individual or a Group → Majority of Norms are Enforced Informally → Particularly Effective Among Teenagers Who Consider Group Acceptance to be Important What Are Some Examples You See Everyday? positive - standing ovations, compliments, smiles, pats on the back, gifts negative - frowns, gossip, rebukes, insults, ridicule, ostracism (exclusion)
Maintaining or Changing People's’ Behaviour Examples of Sanctions Maintaining or Changing People's’ Behaviour
Smoking Ban _____ Control: The Smoking Ban → Formal/Informal _____ Sanction: Fine/ Caution/ Imprisonment if continued → Positive/Negative 2007: Illegal to smoke indoors Primary Source: Smoking Ban = Formal Positive Control Because Benefits In Health Formal, Negative
Promotion to Manager ________ Control: Bosses Power to Promote Employees → Formal/Informal Sanction: Rewarded with Promotion → Positive/Negative? formal, Positive
Bad Table Manners ______ Control: → Formal/Informal? ______ Sanction: Exclusion, Embarrassment, Disgusted Looks → Positive/Negative? Manners are expected Informal, Negative
Standing Ovation After Performance ________ Control: → Formal/Informal? ________ Sanction: Getting Out of Seat and Rewarding With Cheers and Clapping → Positive/Negative? informal, Positive
Tough Love: Public Shaming Article What Was The Sanction Being Performed? Was This Formal or Informal Control? What Do You Think? Do You Think Public Shaming is a Beneficial Way to Negatively Sanction Children or Individuals into Conforming? What Some Examples You See Everyday in your Roles? (Student, Sister/Brother, Daughter/Son, Soccer Player, Singer, Lifeguard, Religion, Laws, etc.)