Norms and Values Norms: The Rules We Live By —  How do you classify elements of a cultures way of life? —  By defining its components of culture: norms, values, beliefs, and material objects. —  Norms-­‐ rules that define appropriate and inappropriate behavior. —  Norms help to explain why people in a society behave in similar ways. Norms: The Rules We Live By —  William Graham Sumner wrote about norms. —  He said that anything can be considered appropriate when norms approve. Because once a norm is learned we use them to guide society. —  For example: A line/skipper. Folkways, Mores, and Laws —  Sumner identified these three as basic types of norms. —  They each have an importance in society and when violated are tolerated differently. Folkways, Mores, and Laws —  Folkways-­‐ rules that cover customary ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving but lack moral overtones. —  Folkways include supporting school activities. —  People who violate folkways may appear odd but are not considered wicked or immoral. Folkways, Mores, and Laws —  Mores (“MOR-­‐ays”)-­‐ norms with great moral significance. —  “Conformity to mores draws strong social approval; violation brings strong disapproval. A social requirement! Folkways, Mores, and Laws —  Taboos are the most serious mores. —  Taboo-­‐ a norm so strong that its violation demands punishment by the group. —  Incest is generally the only taboo that is present in all societies. Folkways, Mores, and Laws —  Laws-­‐ norms that are formally defined and enforced by officials. —  Laws are consciously created and enforced. —  Mores are an important source of laws. —  Folkways can become mores of laws. —  Mores do not always become laws. Enforcing the Rules —  Norms must be learned and accepted. —  Sanctions-­‐ rewards and punishments used to encourage conformity to norms. —  Sanctions can be formal or informal. Enforcing the Rules —  Formal Sanctions-­‐ sanctions that are applied by officially designated persons. (ex. Judges or teachers) —  They can be positive or negative. —  Positive-­‐ a soldier earning the Congressional Medal of Honor —  Negative-­‐ Child molester having to display a sign describing his/her crimes. Enforcing the Rules —  Informal Sanctions-­‐ sanctions that are applied by most members of a group. —  They can be positive of negative. —  “Specific sanctions are associated with specific norms.” (ex. Violation of curfew) —  As we get older we conform to norms without the threat of sanctions. We want to avoid guilty feelings, or social disapproval. Values-­‐ The Basis for Norms —  Values are much more general. —  Values-­‐ broad ideas about what most people in a society consider to be desirable. —  “They do not dictate precise ways to thinking, feeling, or behaving. You can have quite different norms based on the same value.” —  Freedom in U.S.A. vs. former Soviet Union. “ Identical values do not result in identical norms.” Values-­‐ The Basis for Norms —  “Values have a tremendous influence on human social behavior because they form the basis for norms.” —  Ex. Values Democracy, Values Human Welfare, Values Hard Work —  Values are so important because they are so general and involved in most aspects of daily life. Basic Values in the United States —  Achievement and Success —  Activity and Work —  Efficiency and Practicality —  Equality —  Democracy —  Group Superiority