Values and Norms Terms to Know Beliefs conceptions

Values and Norms:

Terms to Know: • Beliefs- conceptions that people accept as true concerning how the world operates and the place of the individual in relationship to others • Folkways-norms that apply to the mundane aspects or details of daily life • Values- general shared conceptions of what is good, right, desirable, or important • Norms- written and unwritten rules that specify behaviors appropriate and inappropriate to a particular social situation

Values: • Definition: shared beliefs about what is good or bad/ Right or Wrong. • Values help determine the character of a society and the kind of culture they have • A culture that values war and power will be much different than one that values peace and cooperation

10 Key Values in American Culture • • • Equal opportunity and Rugged Individualism Achievement and Success Material comfort Work Time Science Technology Democracy Relationships- Vertical and Horizontal Group Superiority

Norms • Norms are created to enforce cultural values • Definition: shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations • Norms are expectations for behavior

Norms • The establishment of norms does not mean everyone will follow them • Some groups are not allowed to follow them while other have the power not to supersede them

Kinds of Norms • Folkways- the etiquette and customs of a people that are not of critical importance to the society – Examples: Be nice to elderly, chew with your mouth closed, don’t park in no parking zones • Mores- rules of behavior that are very important since violation would endanger the basic stability of society – Examples: Do not kill, steal, cheat on exams, set fire to your neighbors house… • Laws- the more complex a society becomes the more its folkways and mores are turned into laws