Sociology Chapter 3Cultural Conformity and Adaptation

13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin 1. Temperance – “eat not to

Dullness, drink not to elevation” 2. Silence -“speak not but what may

benefit others” 3. Order – “Let all your things have

there place” 4.Resolution – “resolve to perform

what you ought, and perform without fail what you resolve”

13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin 5. Frugality – “make no expense but

to do good to others or yourself” 6. Industry – “Lose no time, cut off

all unnecessary action” 7. Sincerity – “Use no hurtful deceit” 8. Justice – “Wrong none by doing

injuries” 9. Moderation – “Avoid extremes” 10. Cleanliness – “Tolerate no un-

cleanliness”

13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin 11. Tranquility – “Be not disturbed by

trifles or at accidents” 12. Chastity – rarely use “sex” but

for health or offspring 13. Humility – “Imitate Jesus and

Socrates”

American Value System

Americans have a very diverse culture, but there are several values that all groups seem to embrace.

Personal Achievment

Personal Achievement comes in many forms, but has its roots in competition. We rate ourselves and others by their achievements.

Individualism

Individual Effort is the key to personal achievement. People that fail…it is their own fault.

Work

Americans value work, work is associated with Discipline, Dedication and a positive attitude.

Morality and Humanitarianism America was founded by religious

outcasts. The idea of helping others is deeply ingrained in American culture

Efficiency and Practicality Americans believe every problem

has a solution. Americans judge people on their ability to get things done.

Progress and Material Comfort Most Americans place a high value

on Material Comfort. In order to get more comfortable, progress needs to be made.

Equality and Democracy

Equality before the law, all citizens given equal opportunity, and everyone has a say.

Freedom

Americans value freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution such as Freedoms of religion, speech and press.

Other values

Other values that Americans value are things such as Patriotism, Education, Religion.

Changing values

Like all aspects of culture, it changes all the time.

Currently the things Americans value include: health, youthfulness, and physical fitness.

Values which continue to change over the course of life are grouped under the term self-fulfillment.

Narcissism

People the get involved too deeply in the ideas of self-fulfillment are deemed to have a disorder know as Narcissism. Narcissism means extreme self centeredness.

Self ControlSection 2

Social Control

Control of society is established through the enforcement of norms (rules, laws) that can be either internal or external (sanctions)

Internalization

The process whereby norms become part of an individuals personality.

You eat with a knife and a fork because it is a norm.

Sanctions

Sanctions are rewards or punishments used to enforce conformity to norms

Positive Sanctions

Praise by Parents Good Grades from Teachers Pay Raises from Work

Negative Sanctions

A punishment or threat of punishment used to enforce conformity

Can range from frowns, and yelling to incarceration and death

Formal or Informal Sanctions In addition to being positive or

negative, sanctions can be formal or informal.

Formal Sanctions – a reward or punishment given by a formal organization. (school, government)

Informal Sanctions – a reward or punishment given spontaneously. (smiles, standing ovation)

Social Control

The enforcing of norms (shared rules of conduct) is called social control and is completed by the use of sanctions, either positive or negative, formal or informal.

Section 3Social Change

Social Change

All cultures change over time.

1950’s

1970’s

1980’s

1990’s 2000’s

More Change

Music: 1971 – Top Song – Joy to the World –

3 Dog Night 1981 – Top Song – Bette Davis Eyes –

Kim Carnes 1991 – Top Song – Everything I Do –

Bryan Adams 2001 – Top Song – All for You – Janet

Jackson 2011 – Top Song –

Rolling in the Deep - Adele

6 Factors that change Society

Values and Beliefs

A change in one part of society will affect change in the entire society.

If the change occurs in the ideology (a system of beliefs that justifies the moral, religious, political or economic interests of the group), then the change can have an enourmous amount of impact.

Social Movements

A long term effort to change society Famous Social Movements

Abolitionist Movement Prohibition Movement Civil rights Movement Women's Right Movement Gay Rights Movement

Technology

Improving technology can greatly influence the society that uses the technology

Population

As changes occur in our societies population, the culture of our society changes to reflect it.

Diffusion

Culture often spreads between countries in close proximity to each other. Often material items instead of ideas are transferred.

Physical Environment

Natural disasters can change the culture of an area and surrounding areas.

Wars and Conquests

Wars bring about the largest changes in the smallest amount of time.

Resistance to Cultural Change Ethnocentrism Cultural Lag Vested Interests