Mary drags a screaming child from a store and quickly swats him on the bottom.People passing by stare and mumble under their breath.What is this an example of?
A)breakdown of norms
B)formal mechanisms of social control
C)informal mechanisms of social control
D)violation of norms

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of informal mechanisms of social control because Mary, as a member of the society, is enforcing the social norms of appropriate behavior for children in public places. The swatting of the child's bottom is a form of informal punishment for deviant behavior. The reactions of the people passing by also demonstrate the power and effectiveness of informal mechanisms of social control in regulating behavior.

Mary Drags a Screaming Child from a Store and Quickly