Which is an example of formal social control in schools?

• A. Peer influence to conform
• B. Informal learning from peers
• C. Discipline of staff, punishments, school rules
• D. Student self-governance

Answer: (C)

Formal social control in schools means official rules and the sanctions used to enforce them by the institution. It involves codified policies, disciplinary procedures, and punishments administered by staff or administrators to regulate student behavior.

Among the options, the description of discipline carried out by staff, along with school rules and punishments, best fits this idea. It reflects the formal mechanisms schools use to regulate behavior through established authority and clear consequences.

The other options reflect informal or non-enforcement aspects: peer influence to conform is social pressure from classmates rather than official sanctions; informal learning from peers is about shared knowledge without enforcement; student self-governance involves student-driven governance, which may guide behavior but typically doesn’t involve formal sanctions imposed by the school.