During a classical music performance, a concert-goer talks loudly to the person sitting next to her. A man in another seat turns around, frowns at her, and says "Shh." This illustrates a ____________.
A) negative informal norm
B) positive formal sanction
C) negative informal sanction
D) prescriptive informal norm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The man turning around and shushing the loud concert-goer is an example of a negative informal sanction. Informal sanctions are reactions from others to an individual's behavior that are not enforced by a formal institution. In this case, the man's frown and shushing are nonverbal cues that are likely to signal disapproval of the woman's behavior, acting as a form of negative informal sanction.

During a Classical Music Performance, a Concert-Goer Talks Loudly to the Person