Both conditioned compliance and perceived legitimation are factors that
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: They both contribute to the maintenance of social order.
Explanation
Conditioned compliance and perceived legitimation are both sociological concepts that help explain how individuals and groups conform to societal rules and authority without the constant use of force or coercion.
Conditioned compliance refers to behavior that results from habitual obedience. This means people follow rules because they have been trained or conditioned to do so over time—through upbringing, education, work environments, or societal norms. It becomes automatic. For example, stopping at a red traffic light is something people usually do without thinking, not because someone is watching, but because it has become a conditioned response. This type of compliance helps maintain social order by encouraging consistent, predictable behavior across society.
Perceived legitimation, on the other hand, means people accept the rules or authority because they believe it is right or fair. This belief in the legitimacy of laws, leaders, or institutions fosters voluntary cooperation. For instance, citizens may obey a democratically elected government not because they fear punishment but because they view the system as just and legitimate. Max Weber, a key sociologist, identified this as an important foundation for authority—where power is obeyed because it is seen as morally or legally appropriate.
Together, these concepts help explain why most people follow societal rules even when no one is watching. Conditioned compliance ensures automatic, habitual obedience, while perceived legitimation ensures that people feel morally or socially justified in obeying. This combination is powerful because it reduces the need for constant enforcement and surveillance.
In essence, social order is maintained not just through external control or fear of punishment, but through internal acceptance and automatic behavior. That’s why both conditioned compliance and perceived legitimation are critical to understanding how societies function peacefully and cohesively.
