Social control mechanisms only include formal laws and regulations, while informal social controls are insignificant in maintaining societal order.

Social control mechanisms are ways that societies regulate behavior to maintain order. While formal laws and regulations, like traffic laws or criminal codes, are important, informal social controls play a significant role too. Informal controls include things like social norms, values, and expectations that guide people's behavior. For example, if someone sees their friend littering, they might express disapproval, which discourages that behavior, even though there is no law against it. Therefore, both formal and informal mechanisms are crucial in helping society function smoothly.