What is normal? Exploring folkways, mores, and taboos | Behavior | MCAT | Khan Academy

Summary

This script explores the concept of social norms, defining them as standards of acceptable behavior within groups, heavily influenced by context and culture. It distinguishes between four types of norms: folkways, mores, taboos, and laws, each with varying degrees of importance and consequences for deviation. Examples illustrate how norms can evolve, like the inclusion of women in baseball, and how they differ across cultures, emphasizing the dynamic nature of social expectations.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Norms are standards for acceptable behavior defined by groups and can vary based on context, location, and time.
• 🔍 Psychologists and sociologists often study norms to understand what is considered 'normal' behavior in society.
• 🌐 Norms are unwritten rules influenced by moral standards or ethical values, internalized by individuals within a group.
• 📏 Norms provide structure within social groups and set expectations for behavior in specific situations.
• 🏞 Context heavily influences what is considered normal behavior, as illustrated by the difference in reactions to yelling at a baseball game versus in a work meeting.
• 🌍 Cultural differences play a significant role in shaping norms, such as the varying ways people greet each other in America and Europe.
• 🕰 Norms can evolve over time due to shifts in attitudes or changes in circumstances, as seen with the inclusion of women in professional baseball during World War II.
• 📚 Norms can be classified into four groups: folkways, mores, taboos, and laws, each with varying degrees of importance and consequences for deviation.
• 🤗 Folkways are everyday social customs with mild consequences for non-adherence, like saying 'thank you' or holding a door open.
• 🤔 Mores are norms based on moral values with stronger emotional reactions when violated, such as the expectation of truthfulness.
• ⚖️ Laws are formal norms with consistent legal consequences for violations, differing in severity from minor infractions to serious crimes.
• 🚫 Taboos are strict prohibitions with severe consequences and strong societal disapproval, such as incest or cannibalism.

Q & A

What do psychologists and sociologists study?

Psychologists and sociologists study human behavior, including what is considered normal behavior and how it is defined.

What are norms and what role do they play in society?

Norms are standards for acceptable behavior within a group, providing structure and setting specific standards for conduct. They are heavily dependent on context and can change over time.

How do norms vary based on context?

Norms can vary significantly based on the physical location and situation. For example, yelling at a baseball game is acceptable, but not during a work meeting.

How do cultural differences influence norms?

Cultural differences greatly influence norms. For instance, American greetings may involve a handshake, while in European countries, a kiss on the cheek is customary.

Can norms change over time and why?

Yes, norms can change over time due to shifts in attitudes or circumstances. The example of women playing baseball during World War II illustrates this change.

What are the four distinct groups of norms?

The four distinct groups of norms are folkways, mores, taboos, and laws, which dictate the importance of the norm and the consequences of deviating from it.

What are folkways and how are they different from other norms?

Folkways are mild norms, often traditions or everyday courtesies like saying 'thank you'. The consequences of not following folkways are usually not severe.

What is the difference between mores and folkways?

Mores are norms based on moral values or beliefs and usually elicit strong feelings when violated, unlike folkways, which are more about everyday courtesies.

What are laws and how do they relate to norms?

Laws are norms with formal and consistent consequences for violations. They are based on the understanding of right and wrong and are enforced by legal systems.

What are taboos and how do they differ from other norms?

Taboos are behaviors that are completely forbidden under any circumstance, with consequences far more extreme than mores. Violations of taboos are considered very immoral.

Can you provide an example of how norms can change in a specific situation?

An example is the acceptance of women playing baseball, which was not normal initially but became acceptable during World War II due to the absence of men and the need for entertainment.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Social Norms

This paragraph delves into the concept of social norms, which are the unwritten rules governing acceptable behavior within a group. It explains how norms are influenced by context, culture, and historical circumstances, and how they can change over time. The example of baseball illustrates how norms can vary between different settings and evolve, such as the inclusion of women in professional baseball due to societal shifts during World War II. The paragraph also introduces the four classifications of norms: folkways, mores, taboos, and laws, each with varying degrees of importance and consequences for deviation.

05:01

🏆 The Consequences of Norm Deviation

This paragraph explores the consequences of deviating from social norms, highlighting the differences between the four types of norms. It starts by discussing the mild repercussions of not adhering to folkways, such as simple manners and everyday courtesies, which are not severely punished. It then moves on to mores, which are based on moral values and can elicit strong reactions when violated, like the expectation of truthfulness. The paragraph also covers the formal and consistent consequences of violating laws, which can range from minor infractions to serious crimes. Lastly, it addresses taboos, which are behaviors forbidden under any circumstances and result in extreme consequences, often punishable by law and met with community disgust, with examples like incest and cannibalism. The paragraph concludes with a hypothetical scenario at a baseball game to illustrate the practical application of these norms.

Keywords

💡Norms

Norms are the unwritten rules or standards that dictate acceptable behavior within a group or society. They are central to the video's theme as they provide the framework for understanding what is considered 'normal' or 'acceptable' behavior in various contexts. For example, the video discusses how norms can vary based on context, such as yelling being acceptable at a baseball game but not in a work meeting.

💡Behavior

Behavior refers to the actions or reactions of individuals in response to certain situations. The video explores how norms influence behavior, determining what is considered strange or even criminal. It uses the concept of behavior to examine how norms shape societal expectations and reactions to actions, such as standing up and yelling at a baseball game versus in a work meeting.

💡Context

Context is the environment or setting in which something occurs and has a significant impact on what is considered normal behavior. The video emphasizes the importance of context in determining the acceptability of behavior, such as the difference in appropriate responses to a home run in a baseball game versus during a work meeting.

💡Cultural norms

Cultural norms are the standards of behavior that are specific to a culture or society. The video uses the example of different greeting customs in America and European countries to illustrate how norms can vary significantly from one culture to another, affecting how individuals interact and perceive each other's behavior.

💡Historical circumstances

Historical circumstances refer to the events or conditions of a particular time period that can influence societal norms. The video provides the example of how the inclusion of women in professional baseball changed during World War II due to the absence of men, demonstrating how historical events can shift what is considered normal behavior.

💡Folkways

Folkways are everyday customs or manners that are part of a society's tradition. The video explains that folkways are mild norms with minimal consequences for non-compliance, such as opening a door for someone or saying 'thank you', and they contribute to the social cohesion within a group.

💡Mores

Mores are norms based on moral values or beliefs that are deeply held within a group. The video describes mores as producing strong feelings and reactions when violated, such as the societal outrage when public figures are dishonest, highlighting the significance of moral values in shaping norms.

💡Laws

Laws are formal norms with consistent and formal consequences for violations. The video contrasts laws with mores by explaining that while both are based on right and wrong, laws have specific punishments, such as lying under oath in a court, which is both morally wrong and legally punishable.

💡Taboos

Taboos are strict prohibitions against certain behaviors that are considered extremely immoral. The video states that taboos are met with severe consequences and disgust from the community, such as incest or cannibalism, and they are often punishable by law, emphasizing the extreme nature of these norms.

💡Consequences

Consequences in the context of the video refer to the outcomes or repercussions that follow the violation of a norm. The video categorizes norms into folkways, mores, laws, and taboos based on the severity of their consequences, ranging from mild social disapproval to severe legal punishment.

💡Social structure

Social structure refers to the organization of a society's norms, values, and institutions. The video suggests that norms provide a structure within groups, setting specific standards for behavior and helping to maintain order and predictability in social interactions.

Highlights

Psychologists and sociologists are often asked to define what is considered normal behavior.

Norms are standards for acceptable and unacceptable behavior, defined by groups and influenced by moral standards or ethical values.

Norms provide structure within groups and set standards for behavior, heavily dependent on context and can change over time.

Acceptable behavior varies by context, as illustrated by the example of yelling at a baseball game versus in a work meeting.

Cultural differences significantly affect norms, as shown by different greeting customs in America and Europe.

Norms can evolve over time due to shifts in attitudes or changing circumstances, as seen in the history of women's participation in baseball.

Norms are classified into four groups: folkways, mores, taboos, and laws, which dictate the importance of the norm and consequences of deviation.

Folkways are mild norms, such as everyday courtesies, with no severe consequences for non-compliance.

Mores are norms based on moral values, like truthfulness, with reactions if violated but not always serious consequences.

Laws are formal norms with consistent consequences for violations, such as lying under oath in a court setting.

Taboos are behaviors forbidden in any circumstance, with extreme consequences and often punishable by law.

Examples of taboos include incest and cannibalism, which are met with severe community disgust and legal consequences.

A baseball game scenario illustrates the difference between folkways, mores, and laws, showing how norms can vary in social settings.

The importance of norms in guiding behavior within social groups and the potential for norms to change with societal evolution.

The role of context in determining the acceptability of behavior, as demonstrated by contrasting examples in the transcript.

The impact of historical events, such as World War II, on the evolution of social norms and the inclusion of women in professional sports.

The distinction between mild norms like folkways and more serious norms like laws and taboos, highlighting the varying degrees of social importance.

Transcripts

Voiceover: Psychologists and sociologists study human behavior.

As they study behavior, they're often asked, what is normal?

Who decides what behavior is normal?

How do we determine if a person's behavior is strange, or

even criminal?

The individuals who seek to understand those

questions and define their answers actually studies norms.

Now basically speaking,

norms are standards for what kinds of

behavior are acceptable and what kinds aren't.

There are unwritten rules that dictate how a person should

behave in a given situation around a given group of people.

Those rules are defined by that group of

people, and are usually guided by some sort of

moral standard or ethical value that is easily understood

and internalized by all the individuals in the group.

So norms provide structure within groups and

set specific standards for how people can behave.

And they're heavily dependent on context, the physical location,

and can even change over time, as we’ll see.

So let’s go through a very simple example.

Imagine you’re at a baseball game and your favorite player hits

a home run, so you stand up and you yell very loudly.

Now in this context, in this group of individuals, this behavior’s very normal.

Yelling is considered acceptable, and it's even

encouraged, among other people attending the game with

you because when you yell in this context, you're supporting the player and the team.

Now, imagine you're in a meeting at work, and while

your boss is talking, you stand up and yell very loudly.

In this context, within this group of

individuals your behavior is not normal or acceptable.

Again, in the same way that norms vary based on context or situation,

they also vary significantly from culture to culture or from country to country.

As a example, individuals from America often greet

each other with a simple hello, or a handshake.

Whereas in European countries, it is customary to

greet someone with a kiss on the cheek.

And lastly, norms can change over time, as individuals' attitudes shift,

or circumstances change, that allow different

types of behavior to become valued.

So let's use baseball as an example again.

When Americans first began playing baseball it

was only considered normal for men to play.

So women were not included in professional baseball.

However, when many of the nation's men were drafted to fight in

World War II, women began playing the sport to keep Americans entertained.

And the circumstances at the time caused a shift in the valued behavior.

So by the time the war ended and men returned to baseball,

it was normal for both women and men to professionally play baseball.

To review, norms are standards for behavior that are set within groups

of individuals and are dependent on

specific situations, locations, and historical circumstances.

In addition to those characteristics, norms also

can be classified into four distinct groups.

You have folkways, mores, taboos and laws.

And these groups basically dictate how important the

norm is and consequences from deviating from the norm.

So first up are folkways.

Folkways are the most mild type of norm.

They're basically just common rules or manners that

we're supposed to follow on a day-to-day basis.

Folkways are typically traditions that individuals have followed for

a long time, and are very basic, everyday courtesies.

Thinks like opening a door for someone or helping a person who's

dropped an item in the grocery store or just saying thank you.

If you don't engage in a folkway,

the consequences are usually not severe or consistent.

There's no actual punishment or strong issue with refusing to

help a person whose dropped an item in a grocery store.

It just might be seen as rude, so those are folkways.

Now, let's talk about mores.

I know it looks like mores, but it's actually pronounced mores.

And mores are norms that are based on some moral value or belief.

And because mores are dependent on the group's understanding

of right and wrong they generally produce strong feelings.

And there's usually a reaction if the mores is

violated, so a simple example of a mores is truthfulness.

Most people feel pretty strongly that individuals should tell

the truth because that's the right thing to do.

So when public figures are not truthful, there's usually outrage

and a sense that the individual has done something morally wrong.

However, mores do not always have serious consequences.

Now laws, laws are norms that are still

based on the understanding of right and wrong.

But they have more formal and consistent consequences.

So using our more example, imagine that a public

figure lies but they happen to lie while under oath.

No in this situation they've done something morally wrong which is

lying that also happens to violate the laws of the court.

So in this case, lying under oath, they

would have a specific punishment that fits the crime.

And that said violation of laws like jay walking or very severe like murder.

And there isn't always outrage when a law is

violated depends on the type of law that was broken.

Now taboos are behaviors that are completely forbidden in any circumstance.

They're based in a deep understanding of right and wrong and the violation

of a taboo results in consequences that are far more extreme than more.

Now, it is a norm to not engage in taboos, and

if a taboo is committed, it is considered very immoral behavior.

Taboos are often punishable by law and taboos also

usually result in severe disgust by members of the community.

In two common examples of taboo are incest or sexual relations among family members.

And cannibalism, eating human flesh.

So now that we've gone over these types of norms, let's review it with an example.

So imagine you're back at that baseball game and you look over and see

your friend and you notice that their zipper on their pants has come undone.

So their fly is open.

Now example of a folkway would be to tell your friend that their zipper is down.

Now that's just common courtesy.

But if you don't tell your friend then there's

no specific consequence other than your friend maybe being embarrassed.

So that's, that would be a folkway.

Now imagine that you see another friend who's taken of

their shirt and painted their teams logo on their chest.

Now let's see if you're pretty strongly about modesty so you think it's wrong

that your friend has taken off his shirt and is exposing so much skin.

See this would be example for more.

So you feel it's wrong for you friend to show this much skin.

There is no serious consequence for his behavior other than your disapproval.

So that would be a more.

Now imagine that same friend has now removed all of

his clothes and decides to go streaking across the field.

In this situation he has now broken a law and will receive some kind of punishment.

However, within this context there probably isn't much outrage or disgust.

In fact, the crowd is probably laughing or maybe cheering

as your naked friend is chased around the baseball field.

Now I won't give an example of a taboo that could

occur here, being that baseball games are usually a family event.

But just know that if a taboo were to occur, it

would be met with overwhelming disgust and would have serious legal consequences.

So on that note, I'd like to conclude this discussion on norms.