define sanction sociology
Sanctions are mechanisms of social control. As opposed to forms of internal control, like cultural norms and values, sociologists consider sanctions a form of external control. Sanctions can either be positive (rewards) or negative (punishment), and can arise from either formal or informal control . Societies use formal and informal sanctions to enforce norms.
Usage Notes: 1  Plural: informal sanctions. 2  The terms informal sanction and informal social sanction are used interchangeably in a sociological context. 3  Sociologists study four primary types of sanctions: formal sanctions, informal sanctions, negative sanctions, and positive sanctions.