Final answer:
Contingencies of reinforcement are ways in which societies use rewards and punishments to encourage adherence to cultural norms and values, thus maintaining social order and control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contingencies of Reinforcement in Social Control
Contingencies of reinforcement are essential mechanisms through which society exercises control. They involve the application of consequences to behaviors, which can be rewards for compliance or punishments for non-compliance with social norms. This system of social control aims to encourage conformity and maintain social order. Rewards can be as simple as a smile and a 'thank you' for socially approved actions, while sanctions can range from social disapproval to legal penalties. These can be seen as forms of operant conditioning, where behaviors are modified through reinforcement or punishment. Moreover, positive sanctions reinforce desirable behaviors, such as receiving praise for good grades, while negative sanctions, such as fines for speeding, deter undesirable behaviors. The expectations of societal rewards and punishments drive individuals to behave in certain ways, which contributes to the overall cultural norms and values.