Final answer:
The question relates to social psychological concepts in which individuals or institutions act to correct or justify previous behavior. This ties to rationalization, affirmative action, and social conformity within the framework of social studies at the high school level.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acting in ways designed to make amends or to cancel out inappropriate behavior is generally associated with psychology, particularly within the realm of social studies. It is often linked to the concepts of defense mechanisms and social norms. For instance, the defense mechanism called rationalization involves justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable real reasons. This is a way of adjusting one's perspective in order to align actions with a socially acceptable framework. Affirmative action is a more institutional approach to correct previous discrimination practices by actively providing opportunities to historically marginalized groups. This is seen as a way for organizations and governments to make amends by ensuring equal access and representation in employment, education, and various services. Lastly, adapting to social pressures, such as changing your behavior to align with a group or authority figure, can be a form of conformity that harmonizes one's actions with the expectations of others.