Sanctions

SanctionsSocial Negotiation in Action

1Negotiation and Sanction Sanctions rewards or punishments for actionsRewards are positive sanctionsPunishments are negative sanctions

As we interact we receive feedback from those who we interact withNegative sanctions discourage behaviorPositive sanctions encourage behavior

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Positive and Negative SanctionsNegative sanctions make us feel excluded.Positive Sanctions make us feel good

3NegotiationWhether we call it reinforcement or negotiation the process of reacting to the behavior of others either positively or negatively has effectsThe outcome of each interaction Reinforces existing behaviorRenegotiates existing behaviorRejects behavior, thus discouraging itResults in changes which reflect new circumstances, beliefs or understandings

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Conserving CultureBoth positive and negative sanctions preserve existing behaviorThrough rewards and punishmentsCultural norms, values and ideas are preserved when we are receive positive or negative feedback for our actions

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Expected responseThe most common sanction is one that hardly feels like a sanction at allWe get the expected response for our behavior.This is a positive sanctionNo one says Hey! Great Job!!! to us when we get up in the morning and get dressed. It is simply expected and we expect no special response The lack of negative sanction is a positive sanctionWe might get negative sanctions if we dont wake up for school or work

6Changing norms and valuesChange occurs through the negotiation process in which the expected reward or punishment might be altered by mutual agreement.Michel Foucault wrote that social change could be achieved by persisting in behaviors even though we get negative sanctions until others accepted the behavior. In other words he advised people to make change by ignoring negative sanctions

7Social ControlNorms and SanctionsProvide social controlExist within social institutionsAre learned behaviorAre part of socializationCan be changedConserve existing cultureAre found in all culturesAre essential to social order

8Levels of ControlJust as norms can be formal and informal, sanctions can be formal and informal.Formal norms written, usually rationalFormal sanctions written, usually rationalExample: Run a stop sign; get a ticket

Informal norms traditional, agreed on can be rational or non rational (perhaps irrational as well)Informal sanctions traditional, agreed on can be rational, non-rational and even irrationalCheat on your partner; people gossip about you

9Things to knowSanctions are both negative and positiveWe may be less aware of the positive sanctions, because they are more expectedAbsence of a positive sanction is a negative sanction, no matter how mildWhile we may not think about actions that will bring us positive sanctions (these feel normal) we do consider negative sanctions and try to avoid themNegative sanctions are uncomfortable to experience

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