What are the three methods of regulation, or common courses of action?

• A. Definitional, Imperative, Coercive
• B. Legal, Administrative, Operational
• C. Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration
• D. Formal, Informal, Procedural

Answer: (A)

Regulation happens through three interconnected ways: defining boundaries, issuing commands, and enforcing rules. Definitional regulation sets the standards by spelling out what counts as illegal or permissible, so everyone knows where the lines are. This helps prevent confusion by making expectations clear, such as defining what constitutes a disturbance or unlawful behavior.

Imperative regulation is about directing action—it requires people to do or not do something. Think of traffic signs, curfews, or licensing requirements that mandate specific behaviors or procedures.

Coercive regulation comes into play when people don’t comply. It uses penalties, fines, or even force to ensure compliance and deter violations.

The other options describe dispute-resolution methods, or categorize types of rules, but they don’t capture these three practical modes of how authorities regulate behavior.