Final answer:
Formal sanctions are administered within institutional frameworks by those in authoritative roles and can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments). They are part of social control systems that enforce societal norms and values.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formal sanctions are administered by individuals who hold authoritative positions within institutions. These sanctions can either be positive or negative. Positive formal sanctions include rewards such as promotions at work or official commendations for meritorious actions, like a soldier saving a life. Conversely, negative formal sanctions involve penalties for norm violations, such as expulsion from college for conduct violations, termination of employment, or legal punishments like arrest and imprisonment.
Societies utilize sanctions as a means to enforce rules and maintain social control. Formal sanctions are applied by institutions like the criminal justice system, schools, and workplaces and are clearly articulated through laws, regulations, and organizational policies. They are part of a broader system of social control that includes both formal and informal mechanisms, with informal sanctions arising in everyday social interactions.