What does the term 'sanction' imply in terms of social control?

The term 'sanction' in the context of social control refers to a mechanism for enforcing societal standards. This concept encompasses both positive and negative sanctions. Positive sanctions reinforce acceptable behaviors and norms, while negative sanctions serve as penalties or punishments for deviant behavior. Therefore, when discussing social control, sanctions play a crucial role in maintaining order and encouraging conformity within a society. They reflect how a community regulates behavior by rewarding compliance and discouraging rule-breaking. The other choices do not align with the social control aspect of the term; they pertain to communication styles or rhetorical devices that do not hold the same societal enforcement significance.