Which term denotes efforts to align individual behavior with societal norms through regulation?

Which term denotes efforts to align individual behavior with societal norms through regulation?

• A. Social Welfare
• B. Social Policy
• C. Social Control
• D. Social Justice

Answer: (C)

Social control is the term that describes efforts to align individual behavior with societal norms through regulation. It encompasses the rules, laws, and institutions that guide conduct, as well as the social expectations and sanctions—formal like police and courts, and informal like community pressure or shame—that promote conformity. This concept captures how societies shape behavior to maintain order and predictability. The other terms refer to different ideas: social welfare focuses on programs that support people’s well-being; social policy is the framework of laws and guidelines governing social services; social justice relates to fairness and equity in the distribution of resources and opportunities. None of these specifically denotes the process of regulating behavior to enforce normative conformity.

Social control is the term that describes efforts to align individual behavior with societal norms through regulation. It encompasses the rules, laws, and institutions that guide conduct, as well as the social expectations and sanctions—formal like police and courts, and informal like community pressure or shame—that promote conformity. This concept captures how societies shape behavior to maintain order and predictability.

The other terms refer to different ideas: social welfare focuses on programs that support people’s well-being; social policy is the framework of laws and guidelines governing social services; social justice relates to fairness and equity in the distribution of resources and opportunities. None of these specifically denotes the process of regulating behavior to enforce normative conformity.