Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics

Types of Social Sanctions:

 

There are two types of social sanctions.

Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics


1:- Positive sanctions.

 

2:- Negative sanctions.

Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics

Both of these are spread in a continuum  ranging from death to verbal control such as mockery. Actions involving pain and threats are called negative sanctions. And those which are rewarded, are called positive sanctions.

Positive sanctions include the following.

Praising someone for doing something, shouting slogans and propagandizing etc. Are positive sanctions.

 

Negative sanctions include belittling, abusing, expressing hatred, threatening and making fun of others. Social sanctions are both formal and informal. Government makes laws to implement formal sanctions. For example Civil Procedure Code ,

(C. P. C). Which is useful in civil cases.

 

According to Young & Mack  the social sanctions are summarized as follows.

 

 



A reward or punishment used to establish social discipline is called social sanction. That is to say, the methods for enforcing social sanctions that individuals follow. They are rewarded and those who violate them are punished which can range from physical to verbal.

The individuals are perused or compelled to follow sanctions.

 

Positive Sanctions:

Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics

An example of positive sanctions can be given from the Islamic society with orders. In which it is ordered to do right and good work. These includes the orders which have been declared as obligatory in the Shari'ah, and their fulfilment is rewarded by Allah Ta'ala. And There are some negative or forbidden things. There are penalties for doing them. Types of sanctions include methods that are used to establish social discipline. These are of two types. One positive and the other negative.

 

Positive Sanctions include the following methods.

 

i:-Praise:


It is the reward given in the form of words and especially from high level to lower level.

 

ii:- Flattery:


It is false, exaggerated and illegitimate praise and it is an effective weapon of society.

 

iii:- Persuasion:


It also paves the way for people to adopt a certain behavior like the above strategies.

 

iv:- Slogan:


Slogan also attracts people towards desired goals.

 

v:- Reward:


Rewards are awarded for better performance. Medals are given which motivates those who act. Similarly, uniform and insignia are given to highlight a quality.

 

Negative Sanctions:

Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics

These are the ways in which individuals fear violating social norms rather than these are social punishments, that are follows.


i:- Gossip:


In gossip individuals form public opinion and generally criticize people through them.

 

ii:- Satire:

 

Such combination of joke and criticizing exists in the people is called satire. This is a way to bring forth the flaws of someone.

 

iii:- Laughing at others:


This is one of the oldest sanction. It is a very effective mean of punishment. When someone is ridiculed, the group he belonged to left him alone and he feels himself insecure.

 

iv:- Abusing:


Such words are used for someone who is hated to harm him and his social status falls.

 

 v:- Commands:


The way to act or not to act by words is called command. This is also effective source for social control. The power is directly used in it.

 

vi:- Threat:


It is a very strict device in the oral sanctions. It expresses power. If the threat is not successful, the individual uses force to inflict harm.

 

vii:- censorship:


This method is used to prevent the expression of opinion. Command or authority is found in it.

 

viii:- Physical Punishment :


When none of the other methods are successful, the method of physical punishment is used. In which there is fined, Imprisoned, flogged or hanged.

 

 



Formal and Informal Sanctions:

 

1:- Formal Sanctions:

Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics

The formal sanctions are those that are in the form of law or act in accordance with any prescribed rules and regulations. They include both positive and negative sanctions. In them advertising, fame through radio and TV, awards, medals, uniforms, insignia, civil and military honors are included. Graduates of the University are permitted to wear gowns and getting a degree is also a formal sanction. Issuing orders against anyone, imposing censorship, imposing fines and hanging etc. are also included in the formal sanctions.

 

2:- Informal sanctions:

Social Sanctions: Exploring the Positive and Negative Dynamics

Informal sanctions are those for which there is no legal or prescribed regulation. Rather, they are used according to the situation in the society. They also include positive and negative sanctions. Complimenting, flattering, being invited in a function, instructing, enticing, shouting, joking, gossiping, abusing, threatening, etc. are the examples of  informal sanctions.


These sanctions change with the circumstances because they are not in written form. And no law is applicable to them. It is up to the individuals to follow the routines or not to be influenced by them. If act upon, then the society life will be happy, if don't, then the living in a society will be difficult and unpleasant.

 

 

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