The word "sanctions" is now widely heard, and the meaning of this word is already clear to many. However, the phrase “social sanction” is a little-known sociological term, and it can be confusing. Who and what imposes sanctions in this case?
The concept of sanctions
The term itself comes from the Latin sanctio (strictest regulation). In law, sanction is considered as an element of a legal norm, which provides for negative consequences for a person who violates the rules established in such a norm. The concept of social sanctions has a similar meaning. When it comes to social sanction, then, accordingly, a violation of social norms is implied.
Social Control and Social Sanctions
The stability of the social system, the preservation of social stability, the emergence of positive changes in society are ensured by such a mechanism as social control. Sanctions and norms are its constituent elements.
Society and surrounding people set the individual rules of social behavior and exercise social control, monitoring compliance with social behavior. Social control at its core is the subordination of a person to a social group, society, it implies following social norms. Control is exercised through coercion, public opinion, social institutions, group pressure.
Social sanction is the most important means of social control. In combination with social norms, they form a mechanism of social control. In a broader sense, social sanction is all measures and means that are aimed at bringing an individual to the norm of a social group, stimulate him to have a certain behavior and determine his attitude to the actions taken.
External social control
External control is a combination of mechanisms and institutions that control the activities of people and ensure compliance with social norms. It is divided into formal and informal. Formal control is a positive or negative reaction from the authorities. It is based on acts having legal and administrative force: laws, decrees, decrees. Its effect applies to all citizens of the country. Informal control is based on the reactions of others: approval or disapproval. It is not formalized and is not effective in a large group.
External control may include isolation (imprisonment), isolation (incomplete isolation, imprisonment in a colony, hospital), rehabilitation (assistance in returning to normal).
Internal social control
If social control is too strong and petty, this can lead to negative results. An individual may lose control over his own behavior, independence, initiative. Therefore, it is very important for a person to have internal social control, or self-control. A person himself agrees his behavior with accepted norms. The mechanisms of this control are guilt and conscience.
Social norms
Social norms are generally accepted standards that ensure the orderliness, stability and stability of the social interaction of social groups and individuals. They are aimed at regulating what people say, think, and do in specific situations. Norms are standards not only for society, but also for specific social groups.
Social norms are not documented, and are often unwritten rules. The signs of social norms include:
- Validity. Applies to a group or to society as a whole, but cannot apply only to one or more members of a group.
- The possibility of applying a group or a society of approval, censure, awards, punishments, sanctions.
- The presence of the subjective side. The individual himself decides whether or not to accept the social norms of a group or society.
- Interdependence. All norms are interconnected and interdependent. Social norms can contradict each other, and this creates a personal and social conflict.
- Scale. In terms of scale, the norms are divided into social and group.
Types of Social Norms
Social norms are divided into:
- Norms of law - formal rules of conduct established and protected by the state. The rules of law include social taboos (pedophilia, cannibalism, murder).
- Norms of morality - representations of society about manners, morality, etiquette. These norms work thanks to the internal beliefs of the individual, public opinion, measures of public influence. Moral norms are not homogeneous throughout society, and a certain social group may have norms that contradict the norms of society as a whole.
- Norms of customs - traditions and customs that have developed in society and are regularly repeated by the entire social group. Following them is basically a habit. Such norms include customs, traditions, rituals, rituals.
- Norms of organizations - rules of conduct within organizations, which are reflected in their charters, regulations, rules, apply to employees or members, and are protected by public pressure. Such rules apply in trade unions, political parties, clubs, and companies.
Types of Social Sanctions
Social sanctions come in four types: positive and negative, formal and informal.
- Negative social sanction is a punishment for unwanted actions. It is directed against a person who deviated from accepted social norms.
- Positive sanctions - reward for actions approved by society aimed at supporting an individual who follows the norms.
- Formal social sanctions - come from official, public, state bodies.
- Informal sanctions are a reaction of members of a social group.
All types of sanctions form several combinations. Consider these combinations and examples of social sanctions.
- Formal positive - public approval by official organizations (awards, titles, prizes, academic degrees, diplomas).
- Informal positive - public approval, expressed in praise, compliment, smile, etc.
- Formal negative - punishments prescribed by law (fines, arrest, imprisonment, dismissal, etc.)
- Informal negative - comments, ridicule, complaint, slander, etc.
