What is a formal sanction? Provide examples in daily life.

• A. Formal sanctions are informal community reactions like gossip.
• B. Formal sanctions are official rewards or punishments (legal penalties, school expulsions) used to enforce norms.
• C. Formal sanctions occur randomly with no patterns.
• D. Formal sanctions are personal judgments without authority.

Answer: (B)

Formal sanctions are official rewards or punishments issued by institutions that have the authority to enforce norms. They come from organizations like the police, courts, schools, or employers and operate through established procedures. Daily-life examples include a speeding ticket or other legal penalties, a court-imposed fine, being arrested, detention or suspension in school, or being fired or promoted at work. This distinguishes them from informal sanctions, such as gossip or peer disapproval, which lack formal authority, and from personal judgments without official backing.