In the context of stress and social psychology, what is the main difference between a positive sanction and a negative sanction?

• A. A positive sanction is always informal, while a negative sanction is always formal.
• B. A positive sanction rewards desirable behavior, while a negative sanction punishes undesirable behavior.
• C. A positive sanction is used only in workplace settings, while a negative sanction is used only in family settings.
• D. A positive sanction increases stress, while a negative sanction decreases stress.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of sanctions in social psychology. Sanctions are social responses used to encourage conformity to norms or discourage deviance.
2. Step 2: Differentiate between positive and negative sanctions. Positive sanctions are responses that reward or reinforce desirable behavior, encouraging it to continue.
3. Step 3: Recognize that negative sanctions are responses that punish or discourage undesirable behavior, aiming to reduce or eliminate it.
4. Step 4: Note that sanctions can be either formal (official, institutionalized) or informal (unofficial, social), but this distinction is separate from whether the sanction is positive or negative.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the main difference lies in their function: positive sanctions reward good behavior, while negative sanctions punish bad behavior.