Final answer:
Informal means of social control consist of unwritten rules and norms enforced through social interactions and sanctions, like disapproval for inappropriate behavior or praise for prosocial actions, which help maintain societal order and encourage conformity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Informal means of social control refer to the uncodified mechanisms by which society regulates the behaviors of its members and maintains social order without the need for written rules or formal legislation. These controls exist in day-to-day interactions and are learned through observation, imitation, and general socialization. Examples include the disapproving looks one might receive when violating a social norm, such as dressing inappropriately for an event, or the positive reinforcement one might get for displaying prosocial behavior, like helping someone in need. In the absence of formal sanctions, these informal mechanisms play a crucial role in encouraging conformity to societal expectations and discouraging deviant behavior.
Different types of informal sanctions, like informal negative sanctions (avoidance, gossip, ostracism) and informal positive sanctions (smiles, compliments, pats on the back), help to ensure that people abide by the unwritten rules that govern acceptable conduct within their community. These norms and sanctions are essential for the cohesion and functioning of social groups and may vary greatly across different cultures and situations.