What do we call the strategies for preventing deviant behavior in society?

The correct choice, social control, refers to the methods and strategies employed by society to regulate individual behavior and maintain social norms. Social control encompasses a variety of formal and informal mechanisms that are used to prevent deviance and encourage conformity. This can include laws and regulations enforced by institutions, as well as social norms upheld through peer pressure and community expectations.

For example, formal social control can be seen in the legal system, where laws are established to deter criminal behavior through penalties, while informal social control involves the influence of family, friends, and community values that encourage individuals to adhere to social expectations.

This concept is crucial in understanding how societies function, as it highlights the balance between individual freedoms and societal order, illustrating the dynamic interplay between conformity and deviance.