Which method is an example of informal social control?

Informal social control refers to the ways in which individuals and groups enforce norms and values without the involvement of formal institutions like the law or government entities. Peer pressure is a prime example of this concept, as it involves social interactions where individuals influence one another's behavior to conform to societal expectations or group norms. This can happen through social approval or disapproval, and it occurs in everyday situations, such as among friends or within community groups.

In contrast, judicial prosecution and police patrol are forms of formal social control, where laws and the legal system are applied to maintain order and punish deviance. Legislative reform also falls under formal social control, as it involves changes in laws and regulations enacted by the government to shape behavior. Therefore, peer pressure stands out as the most fitting example of informal social control, highlighting the power that social relationships and community dynamics have on individual actions.