Social control mechanisms can be both positive and negative, with positive sanctions promoting conformity and negative sanctions discouraging deviance. An example of a positive form of social control is when a teacher _____ a student for a well-written paper.

Social control mechanisms are ways that society encourages people to follow rules and behave in expected ways. Positive sanctions, like praise or rewards, help reinforce good behavior and encourage others to do the same. For example, when a teacher praises a student for writing a well-written paper, it not only makes that student feel good but also shows other students that good work is recognized and appreciated. This kind of encouragement can motivate them to put in more effort in their own assignments. On the other hand, negative sanctions, like punishments, serve to discourage behaviors that go against social norms, helping to maintain order in the group.