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1УДК 316
Sorokoletova A.B.
Belgorod National Research University (Belgorod, Russia)
SOCIAL SANCTIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY
Аннотация: social sanctions are an integral element of sociological analysis, as they play a key role in maintaining order and coherence within social groups. The impact of these sanctions on the individual is multifaceted and diverse, as they can both promote the individual's integration into society and cause stress, social isolation and other consequences if a person does not meet generally accepted standards. The importance of social adaptation and interaction of an individual with the surrounding society necessitates the study of social sanctions in the context of their impact on the behavior and psychological state of an individual. This article considers the nature of social sanctions, their types and consequences for the individual, as well as the impact on social relations in the conditions of modernity text of their impact on the behavior and psychological state of an individual.
Ключевые слова: social sanctions, personality, formal sanctions, informal sanctions, positive sanctions, negative sanctions, consequences, social exclusion, social adaptation, stigmatisation.
1. Theoretical foundations of social sanctions
Social sanctions are measures of influence of society or separate social groups on the behavior of an individual or collective in response to its compliance or noncompliance with social norms. Sanctions, as a rule, are usually divided into two main categories: formal and informal. Each of them has a peculiar impact on the individual.
Formal sanctions relate to formal norms and laws enshrined in legal acts. For example, penalties for crimes, fines for traffic violations, dismissal from work for
non-compliance. These sanctions can be of both material and moral nature, and they are mainly related to the regulation of public order at the level of the state.
Informal sanctions are related to the everyday interaction of individuals in various social contexts. They can manifest themselves in the form of praise, respect, social condemnation, ignoring, ridicule. These are sanctions that are not formalized, but have a significant impact on the behavior of individuals within social groups.
In addition, sanctions can be positive (e.g., awards, recognitions) and negative (e.g., punishment, stigmatization).
2. Types of social sanctions and their role
Sociology distinguishes several types of social sanctions, which depend on what purpose they pursue: maintenance of social order, encouragement of positive behavior or punishment for deviations from norms.
• Positive sanctions are sanctions that are applied for compliance. They can be in the form of praise, awards, social status enhancement, rewards at the level of the state or individual collectives. Positive sanctions strengthen the stability of society because they motivate individuals to comply with rules and norms.
Negative sanctions are punishments imposed for deviations from social
norms.
They can be fines, imprisonment, condemnation from relatives, society as a whole, stereotypical negative labels (e.g., "criminal", "liar"). Negative sanctions help a person to return to the social norm or, at least, to stop committing deviations from it.
Formal sanctions (hased on legal norms and social contract) are regulated by law and often involve large social institutions such as courts, government agencies, and companies. Examples of formal sanctions include imprisonment, fines, restrictions on rights and freedoms. These sanctions are characterized by severity and can often have lasting consequences for the individual.
Informal sanctions depend on interpersonal relationships and public opinion.
Examples include being judged by others, avoiding socializing with someone, or losing one's reputation. Informal sanctions are not always harsh, but they can have a strong impact on the emotional and social state of an individual.
3. Social sanctions and their effects on the individual
The impact of social sanctions on the individual can be very diverse and multifaceted.
Depending on the type of sanctions, their intensity and context, individuals' reactions can range from acceptance of the social norm to resistance and protest actions.
3.1. Positive sanctions and their consequences
Positive sanctions have a significant impact on personal development and self-esteem.
The main consequences of positive sanctions are:
• Motivation and increase of social activity. Positive sanctions incentivize individuals to continue to comply with social norms and actively participate in social life. For example, workplace rewards can increase an employee's motivation to improve the quality of his or her work, and public recognition can increase the desire to continue to observe moral standards.
Strengthening social identity. When a person is recognized within his or her social environment, he or she feels important in that context. This strengthens his sense of confidence and contributes to more successful socialization.
Developing social responsibility. Positive sanctions can create a sense of responsibility to society and others. He feels that his actions contribute to the common good, which in turn leads to the strengthening of social ties.
3.2. Negative sanctions and their consequences
Negative sanctions often have a much greater impact on the individual than positive sanctions. However, the effects can be both short-term and long-term.
• Social isolation and alienation. When a person is publicly condemned or punished, this can lead to isolation and alienation from the collective. This is
especially true in microsocial settings, where social ties play a key role in maintaining self-esteem.
Negative impact or psycho-emotional state. The use of sanctions such as imprisonment or social censure can lead to the development of depression, stress, feelings of inferiority and helplessness.
Stigmatization. One of the most severe consequences of negative sanctions is social stigmatization. Violators of social norms can be stigmatized with certain labels, such as "criminal", "loser", which reduces their chances for further socialization and successful integration into society.
• Resistance reaction. In some cases, negative sanctions may cause a person to engage in protest behavior, which may be directed not only against the sanctions themselves, but also against the norms to which these sanctions are attached.
This, in turn, can lead to antisocial behavior or radicalization of the individual.
4. Social sanctions in the context of contemporary changes
In the conditions of rapid social and technological progress, the role of social sanctions is also changing. For example, with the development of the Internet and social media, a new form of sanction is emerging: public condemnation in a virtual environment. The virtual community often becomes an arena for "condemning" the behavior of individuals, and this form of social reaction has its own unique consequences, such as the destruction of reputation or reduced social integration.
Social sanctions are also becoming increasingly important in the context of globalization. The interaction of different cultures and social groups means that a norm of behavior in one society may be perceived as a deviation in another. For example, cultural differences may lead to different interpretations of sanctions, and what is perceived as a violation in one culture may be considered a norm in another.
Conclusion
Social sanctions play a key role in maintaining order and sustainability in
society.
However, their impact on the individual is not always unambiguous: depending on the context, type of sanction and conditions, the consequences can be both positive and negative. The most important task of sociology is to study these sanctions and their impact on the individual, as well as to develop recommendations on the optimal use of sanctions to minimize their negative consequences. In a rapidly changing society, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of social norms and their changes in order to
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