What are Social Norms? (Folkways, Mores, Taboos)
Understanding Social Norms
Definition and Importance of Social Norms
- Social norms are the agreed-upon rules that govern how members of a society or social group should act and behave.
- These norms are often derived from the deeper values of the group, shaping everyday interactions and societal structure.
Explicit vs. Implicit Norms
- Explicit norms are clearly stated by authority figures or institutions, such as classroom rules or speed limit signs.
- Implicit norms are unspoken expectations learned through observation, like dressing appropriately for events or not cutting in line.
Sanctions Related to Social Norms
- Sanctions serve as reminders of social norms; they can be positive (rewards for adherence) or negative (punishments for violations).
- Formal sanctions are enforced by authority figures, while informal sanctions arise from social interactions without official enforcement.
Examples of Sanctions
- Positive informal sanction: receiving a head nod for courteous behavior; negative informal sanction: getting scowled at for poor table manners.
- Formal positive sanction: being awarded "Employee of the Month"; formal negative sanction: receiving an F in class for lack of submissions.
Types of Social Norms
Folkways
- Folkways are less serious, unspoken norms stemming from casual interactions, like waiting in line or being quiet during lectures.
- Sanctions for folkways tend to be informal and mild, such as a head nod or light teasing.
Mores
- Mores reflect deeper societal values regarding right and wrong; violations can lead to severe consequences like family dissolution due to adultery.
- Societal prejudices may receive different responses based on context—positive reinforcement within certain groups but stigmatization elsewhere.
Taboos
- Taboos represent extremely important norms whose violation leads to disgust and potential banishment; examples include cannibalism and incest.
Laws
- Laws are formally inscribed norms at various governance levels; while all laws are norms, not all norms qualify as laws (e.g., mores about religion).
The Evolution of Social Norms
Changing Nature of Normative Behavior
- Social norms evolve over time and across cultures; what is acceptable in one context may be taboo in another. For instance, racial prejudice may be sanctioned positively within extremist groups but condemned universally.
Understanding Social Norms and Cultural Relativism
The Nature of Social Norms
- Social norms vary significantly across different cultures and contexts, such as between a Methodist Christian church and a workplace in the United States.
- Historical changes in social norms are evident; for instance, perceptions of tattoos, musical preferences, and television content have evolved over time.
Culture Shock Explained
- Culture shock is defined as the disorientation or anxiety experienced when immersed in an unfamiliar culture, highlighting that social norms are a substantial part of cultural identity.
- Examples of culture shock can include differences in language, food preferences, and lifestyle choices.
Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism
- Cultural relativism encourages understanding cultures based on their own standards rather than imposing external judgments; ethnocentrism involves evaluating other cultures through one's own cultural lens.
- An example includes differing views on food delicacies; what is considered acceptable in one culture may be viewed negatively by another.
Debates Surrounding Cultural Practices
- There are ongoing debates about whether cultural relativism should apply to certain controversial practices like slavery or genital mutilation, raising ethical questions about universal human rights versus cultural acceptance.
Summary of Key Concepts
- The video covers definitions of social norms, types of sanctions (positive/negative), forms of social norms (folkways/mores/taboos/laws), culture shock implications, and the importance of both ethnocentrism and cultural relativism in sociological studies.