NORMS -provide the baseline, the standard or the unit against which behavior is defined measured and sanctioned.A. Some general properties of norms.

1. Norms can make anything wrong and deviant.2. Norms can purify destructive behavior, such as war, and even make it honorable.3. Since norms vary over time and across societies it is impossible to define or label behavior in absolute terms. What is acceptable in one society, or at one time, may not be so in another society or at another time.

N O R M S

NORMS

A culture is comprised of a system of norms which has three primary components:

1. Furnished patterns of behavior - NORMS2. Rewards and/or punishments - SANCTIONS3. A set of interrelationships and group identification -

INSTITUTIONS

Are standards or guides for behavior. Norm specify behavioral expectations by defining what are correct and incorrect ways of acting

Categories of Normsa) Folkways -Dictionary - the ways of living, thinking, and acting in a human group, built up without conscious design but serving as compelling

guides of conduct. Example of Folkways1. Correct manners.2. Appropriate dress.3. Proper eating behavior.4. Rules of the road5. Greetings

Norms

Movie Manners

Table Manners

Norms of clothing

b) Mores – Dictionary - actions of central importance accepted without question and embodying the fundamental moral views of a group.

These are norms that are considered vital to the welfare of the group. They are obligatory and are more strongly sanctioned than folkways. Violation of mores will evoke severe punishment. (against the law most of the time.)Tend to change very slowly

Norms

Example of Mores1. Bigamy2. Incest3. Cannibalism

NORMS

C) Taboos - These are a sub-type of mores. They have a `Thou shalt not’ connotation and are very strongly sanctioned.

Some examples are * treason* theft* Snitching * incest

Cultural Lag theory

Technicways - These are behaviors associated with new or technological developments. They initially have no connotation. Cultural lag theory is applicable here.

Technological advancements outpace norm development.What is the proper etiquette when listening to an ipod?Cell phone ringing in theatres, talking on cell phone in a closed public area, etc

NORMS Fashions and Fads - These are highly transitory patterns of behavior based on mores. They tend to reflect the changing patterns and ideologies in a society. Quite often they are an avenue of expression in modern society.

1. Fashions are those mores that permit a latitude of variation around a major norm. Fashions are widely accepted in a society and are subject to individual expression.

2. Fads are a sub-type of fashions. They generally come and go very quickly, usually having an irrational and intense fascination. These are behaviors that are considered to be in vogue or avant-garde such ascontests (goldfish swallowing, pie eating, kissing, wet-t-shirt, etc), dances (the twist, break dancing, cabbage batch, freaking, etcdress styles (cowboy boots, flash dance top, torn Levi's, acid wash, Uggs, etc.)humor (sick jokes, ethnic jokes, dirty jokes, political joke, etc.) These often reflect periods of stress in society or are used as a statement of social conditions.

Acid Wash

Flash DanceStone Wash

Sperry topsiders Saddle Shoes

1980’s Goth Shoes

The Cure

NORMS

D) Laws - Laws - These are actually a special classification of our mores. They are deliberately formulated rules of behavior that are enforced by a special authority. They are formally sanctioned and often strongly enforced.

Examples of Violations of Laws1. Speeding 2, Cheating on Income Tax3. Murder