Final answer:
The term used by social scientists, as described by Kottak, to refer to the socially approved use of power is 'authority'. Authority comes in three forms according to Max Weber: traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Kottak, social scientists use the term authority to refer to the socially approved use of power. Authority is the influence that is predicated on perceived legitimacy. German sociologist Max Weber identified three types of authority: traditional authority, based on long-standing customs like religious expertise or position in family structures; charismatic authority, which is power exercised through personal qualities and persuasive abilities; and rational-legal authority, where power is legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws associated with a legal role in society.