Final answer:
Not reacting to a coworker's inappropriate jokes is an example of exercising informal social control to influence behavior and maintain cultural propriety.
Step-by-step explanation:
No longer laughing at a coworker's inappropriate jokes to discourage them from continuing the behavior can be considered an example of using informal social control. This approach relies on changing one's response to influence others to alter their behavior. In many social settings, approval or disapproval is used as a form of reinforcement or deterrence; in this case, by not laughing, a signal is sent that the jokes are not appropriate, which may lead to the coworker stopping the behavior without the need for direct confrontation.
This kind of behavioral feedback loops back into maintaining and establishing what is considered acceptable within a given culture or group. Oftentimes, this type of informal control is quite effective in ensuring that people adhere to societal norms and expectations without the need for legal actions or formal repercussions such as legal sanctions or verbal reprimand.
Ignoring the jokes could be perceived as a subtle form of rebuke, guiding individuals back towards the accepted standards of interaction, contributing to overall cultural propriety. It's an important feature of social interaction, where individuals learn to align their actions based on the reactions and feedback from others around them.