Understanding Social Norms and Sanctions

Introduction

Social control in sociology refers to the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions—both formal and informal—that regulate individual and group behavior to ensure conformity to social norms, rules, and laws.

Read the instructions carefully and complete the tasks on the answer sheet.

Task

Question 1

Match the terms with theri corresponding definitions.

Numbers	Terms	Letters	Definitions
1	Norms	A	Rewards or punishments used to encourage people to follow social norms.
2	Sanctions	B	The process by which norms become a natural part of a person's beliefs and behavior.
3	Positive Sanctions	C	Shared beliefs about what is important, good, or desirable in a society.
4	Negative Sanctions	D	Excluding someone from a group because of their behavior.
5	Folkways	E	Everyday customs or norms that guide ordinary behavior.
6	Mores	F	Officially written and enforced rules of behavior.
7	Values	G	Social reactions such as criticism, ridicule, or praise that enforce norms.
8	Laws	H	Strongly held norms based on moral beliefs.
9	Prescriptive Laws	I	Methods used by society to regulate behavior and enforce norms.
10	Proscriptive Laws	J	Behavior that violates social norms.
11	Social Control	K	Laws that state what people are required to do.
12	Formal Social Control	L	Shared rules or expectations about how people should behave in society.
13	Informal Social Control	M	Enforcement of norms through official institutions such as police and courts.
14	Informal Sanctions	N	Social pressure used to encourage people to follow norms.
15	Ostracism	O	Punishments given for breaking norms.
16	Deviance	P	Rewards given for following norms.
17	Internalization of Norms	Q	Laws that state what people are forbidden from doing.

Question 2

Answer the following questions:

1. Explain the difference between formal and informal sanctions with examples.

2. How do folkways differ from mores in terms of societal expectations and consequences for non-compliance?

3. Explain the difference between folkways and mores, providing an example of each.

4. How can informal social control influence individual behavior without explicit rules?

Question 3

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.

Norms are:

a) Written laws only

b) Shared expectations about behavior

c) Government regulations

d) Personal opinions
Internalization of norms occurs when:

a) People are forced to obey laws

b) Norms become part of a person's beliefs and behavior

c) Governments enforce rules

d) People receive rewards
A sanction is:

a) A written law

b) A reward or punishment used to enforce norms

c) A cultural belief

d) A personal value
Which of the following is a positive sanction?

a) A fine

b) Jail time

c) A medal

d) Expulsion
Folkways are:

a) Strict moral rules

b) Government laws

c) Everyday customs

d) Religious laws
Morés are:

a) Unimportant traditions

b) Strongly held moral norms

c) Informal greetings

d) Government policies
Laws are:

a) Personal beliefs

b) Written and enforced rules

c) Everyday customs

d) Informal expectations
Prescriptive laws:

a) State what people must do

b) State what people cannot do

c) Describe social customs

d) Explain moral beliefs
Informal social control usually involves:

a) Courts and police

b) Social pressure from others

c) Government regulations

d) Written rules
Ostracism means:

a) Rewarding someone

b) Excluding someone from a group

c) Writing laws

d) Praising behavior

Process

https://youtu.be/ds3-ljxTRvo?si=HR1wZK4UWgqJw9uf

Watch The Video and then answer the Questiion.

Question:

Is conformity always negative? Using examples from the video, explain how conformity can sometimes benefit a group and sometimes lead to harmful outcomes.