Chapter 3 Section 3

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Chapter 3 Section 3

• Norms and Values

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Norms The Rules We Live By

• Norms- are rules defining appropriate and
  inappropriate behavior.
• Norms are learned and society uses them to guide
  behavior.
• Norms are so ingrained that our behavior is
  affected with out our awareness.

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3 Basic Norms Folkways, Mores and Laws.

• Folkways Norms that lack moral significance.
• Ex. Certain ways of dress, removing your hat when
  you eat.
• Not considered vital to group welfare.
• Not too big of deal if broken.

• Mores Norms that have moral dimensions and that
  should be followed by members of the society.
• Norms with great moral significance.
• Vital to well-being of a society.

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Mores continued

• Difference between Folkways and Mores?
• Folkways personal choice.
• Mores social requirement.
• Taboo- A rule of behavior, the violation of which
  calls for strong punishment.
• Ex. Hindus- killing of cows.
• Incest taboos-sexual contact with relatives.

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Laws

• Laws a norm that is formally defined and
  enforced by officials.
• Consciously created and enforced.
• Mores are important sources for laws.
• Can folkways become laws?
• Yes
• Example smoking

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Enforcing the Rules

• Sanctions- are rewards and punishments used to
  encourage people to follow norms.
• Two Different types
• Formal Informal
• Formal Sanctions- sanctions imposed by persons
  given special authority.
• ex. Medals for Soldiers, Grading by Teachers.

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Sanctions continued

• Informal Sanctions- Rewards or punishments that
  can be applied by most members of a group.
• Can be positive or negative.
• Used for a reason, not random.
• Ex. Positive- Helping someone
• Negative- Shushing someone in a theatre

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Values- The Basis for Norms

• What are Values?
• Values are broad ideas about what is good or
  desirable shared by people in a society.
• Very general, do not dictate precise ways of
  thinking, feeling, or behaving.
• Different societies or groups in a societies can
  have different norms based on the same value.
• What are the importance of Values?
• -Influence human social behavior.
• -Forms the basis for norms.

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Basic Values in the United States

• Sociologist Robin Williams (1970) - List of
  values that guides daily lives of people
• Achievement and success
• Activity and work
• Efficiency and practicality
• Equality
• Democracy
• Group Superiority