Examples of Informal Negative Sanctions in Everyday Life
Sanctions are essentially a punishment, an action taken against someone who has violated a rule or expectation. In formal settings, such as a workplace, negative sanctions are typically well-defined and laid out in an employee manual or HR guidelines. However, informal negative sanctions are those that are more subtle, yet can also have a significant impact on our behavior.
Here are several examples of informal negative sanctions that occur frequently in everyday life:
1. Social Exclusion
Social exclusion is one of the most powerful informal negative sanctions in our culture. When someone is excluded from a group or social circle, it is a way of signaling disapproval or a lack of acceptance. This may happen in a variety of ways such as being left out of a conversation or not being invited to a party.
For example, Suppose a group of four co-workers always goes out for lunch together, and one day, they purposely exclude a colleague from joining them. This type of negative sanction can be impactful, and it can discourage the individual from coming across as annoying, or unprofessional since they may fear being excluded again in the future.
2. Non-Verbal Cues
Our body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice can also act as informal negative sanctions. A simple eye roll, a frown, or a sarcastic comment can convey disapproval and contribute to social tension.
Consider the case of a professor who disapproves of a student’s performance in an online class and communicates it nonverbally. In that scenario, the student might opt-out of participating in the online class to avoid further disapproval.
3. Gossip
Gossip is another well-known informal negative sanction that thrives in casual settings. It entails sharing details about someone’s personal life, actions, or thoughts in a negative manner. Gossip’s impact can be indirect by influencing others’ perception of the person being talked about or even leading to ostracization.
For example, suppose someone badmouths a coworker during dinner with friends, saying that the colleague is lazy and always slacks off. As a result, friends might side with the person making the gossip, and this could affect the colleague’s social standing in the workplace.
4. Public Shaming
Public shaming is an informal negative sanction that has now become prevalent on social media platforms. Posting something embarrassing, negative, or revealing about someone, people put an individual in an unwarranted spotlight, making them feel ashamed and humiliated.
For instance, imagine someone wearing an outfit on a night out, and it is posted on social media with negative comments. They might be discouraged from wearing the outfit again and even avoid going to similar events in the future.
Conclusion
These informal negative sanctions can be just as effective as more formal ones in deterring undesirable behavior. They can be subtle and often operate beneath the surface, but their impact may still influence and even dictate how we behave. Avoiding these negative sanctions is a critical part of maintaining healthy relationships both professionally and personally. Being mindful of their use can help us build more positive connections.
