In sociology, sanctions refer to reactions that are used to encourage or discourage someone elses behaviors in accordance with social norms and values. Sanctions are mechanisms of social control that can be either positive (rewards) or negative (punishment) and can arise from either formal or informal control/03%3A_Culture/3.02%3A_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture/3.2I%3A_Sanctions). Sanctions can be divided into several categories such as positive and negative, formal and informal, or internal and external. Regardless of their types, sanctions are always a reflection of an attempt to enforce social control and to prevent deviance from social norms and values.

Examples of social sanctions include subtle reactions such as a nod or smile for conformity or a shake of the head or a look of disapproval for nonconformity. Informal sanctions may include shame, ridicule, sarcasm, criticism, and disapproval, and in extreme cases, social discrimination and exclusion/03%3A_Culture/3.02%3A_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture/3.2I%3A_Sanctions). Formal sanctions, on the other hand, are promulgated by groups, organizations, and societies of various kinds to reward or punish behavior. For example, government and organizations use law enforcement mechanisms and other formal sanctions such as fines and imprisonment/03%3A_Culture/3.02%3A_The_Symbolic_Nature_of_Culture/3.2I%3A_Sanctions).

In summary, sanctions are social reactions that represent judgment on others behavior and are used to enforce social norms and values. They can be either positive or negative, formal or informal, and are a reflection of an attempt to enforce social control and prevent deviance from social norms and values.