Player Piano
In our textbook, "Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach," Henslin defines social control as a group's formal and informal means of enforcing its norms. Two prime examples of social control are positive and negative sanctions. A positive sanction is a reward or positive reaction for following norms. A positive sanction could possibly be given to someone who tries to break and change norms in society for the advancement of the community. A good example of this would be Dr. Martin Luther King's movement for civil rights. A negative sanction is the opposite, an expression of disapproval for breaking a norm. These reactions can be severe and formal, or they can be mild and informal. How do these ideas of social control apply in the society created by Vonnegut in "Player Piano?"In the book "Player Piano" by Kurt Vonnegut, there are many examples of positive and negative sanctions. A perfect example of sanctions affecting lives in a dramatic way was the aptitude test taken by all citizens. If you do poorly on it, then you have to live the rest of your life in the Army or in the Reeks and Wrecks. On the other hand, if you perform well on the t
As I grew older, there were more sanctions that I had to deal with. If you do that, the negative sanction that people will give you is usually a dirty look. Also, when word gets out that Paul is having some sort of "nervous breakdown," a big deal is made of it. They used this as an incentive for me to work towards. So, the threat of a negative sanction has kept me from breaking laws. Also, there are negative sanctions for those who decide to stray from the mainstream. One time, my parents gave me the positive sanction of getting me a television if I got straight A's. These are just a few of the many examples of positive and negative sanctions in the book "Player Piano. One example of an informal sanction is association with the people of Homestead. Because Finnerty has thrown away his cultural values and morals, he is being hunted by the police to be put in jail. Everyday we are influenced by numerous positive and negative sanctions, either formal or informal, that affect our lives greatly ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**Vonnegut, Kurt, Westinghouse, 1976. His carelessness with the pistol was highlighted by a cynical statement from Shepherd: ". " These are minor negative sanctions received by Paul, because of the damage it could have caused.
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Acceptance Essays
