Final answer:
Physical restraints are tools or methods used by society to exercise control over individuals. They were used during slavery to maintain control over enslaved individuals and can also be seen in total institutions like prisons and religious convents. Physical restraints limit freedom and create a constant atmosphere of fear and control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical restraints are tools or methods used by society to exercise control over individuals. In the context of slavery, slaveholders used physical restraints such as lashings, punishment gear like neck braces and leg irons, and threats of separation from family and friends to maintain control over enslaved individuals. These physical restraints created a constant atmosphere of fear and terror for the slaves.
Physical restraints can also be seen in total institutions, where individuals are isolated from society and forced to follow strict rules. Examples of total institutions include religious convents, prisons, and cult organizations. In such institutions, individuals have limited freedom and are subjected to the physical control of the institution.
Overall, physical restraints can be used by society to exert control and limit the freedom of individuals, as seen in historical contexts like slavery and in certain institutional settings.