What are Social Norms? (Folkways, Mores, Taboos)

Summary

In this video, Ryan explores the concept of social norms, explaining how societies establish rules for behavior that are either explicit (like laws or classroom rules) or implicit (learned through observation). He outlines different types of social norms: folkways (casual norms), mores (important moral norms), taboos (deeply offensive norms), and laws (formal rules). The video also covers sanctions, both positive and negative, and discusses culture shock, cultural relativism, and ethnocentrism. By examining how norms change over time and vary across cultures, Ryan highlights their impact on everyday life and sociological understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social norms are shared rules that guide behavior in a society, shaped by the deeper values of that group.
• 😀 Social norms can be explicit (clearly communicated) or implicit (unspoken and inferred through observation).
• 😀 A **sanction** is the feedback or consequence individuals receive for following or breaking social norms.
• 😀 Positive sanctions reward conformity to social norms, such as praise or awards.
• 😀 Negative sanctions punish violations of social norms, like scolding or legal penalties.
• 😀 Sanctions can be formal (enforced by authorities) or informal (social reactions from peers or others).
• 😀 Sociologists distinguish between four types of social norms: **folkways**, **mores**, **taboos**, and **laws**.
• 😀 **Folkways** are minor, informal norms for casual behavior (e.g., waiting in line or dressing appropriately).
• 😀 **Mores** are serious norms related to morality and ethics, and violations can result in significant social consequences.
• 😀 **Taboos** are extreme norms that provoke strong disgust and can lead to social banishment (e.g., incest or cannibalism).
• 😀 **Laws** are formal norms codified into legal systems, with formal penalties for violations (e.g., criminal laws against theft or assault).
• 😀 Social norms vary across cultures and change over time, which can lead to **culture shock** when encountering unfamiliar practices.
• 😀 **Cultural relativism** encourages understanding and assessing norms within their cultural context, avoiding ethnocentrism (judging other cultures by one's own standards).
• 😀 Sociologists caution against being ethnocentric and instead promote respecting cultural differences, even in challenging issues like slavery or genital mutilation.

Q & A

What are social norms, and how are they constructed?

Social norms are the rules and expectations that govern the behavior of individuals within a group or society. These norms are constructed from the deeper values of the group or society, reflecting what is considered acceptable or unacceptable behavior. They can be either explicit, like laws or stated rules, or implicit, such as unwritten social expectations.

What is the difference between explicit and implicit social norms?

Explicit social norms are clearly communicated and often formalized, like rules in a classroom or traffic laws. Implicit social norms, on the other hand, are not directly stated but are conveyed through observation and social cues, such as expecting students to bring certain materials to class or understanding what is appropriate attire for a social event.

What is a sanction in the context of social norms?

A sanction is the feedback or consequence that results from either following or violating a social norm. Sanctions can be positive (rewarding adherence) or negative (punishing violations), and they can be either formal (officially enforced by authorities) or informal (based on social interactions and peer feedback).

What are the different types of sanctions, and can you provide examples?

Sanctions are categorized as positive or negative, and formal or informal. A positive informal sanction could be receiving a nod of approval for good behavior. A negative informal sanction might involve a disapproving look for bad behavior. A formal positive sanction could be receiving an award, while a formal negative sanction might involve being fined or given detention for violating a law or rule.

What are folkways, and how do they differ from other types of social norms?

Folkways are informal norms that are not very serious and typically govern casual everyday behavior, like waiting in line or dressing appropriately for a certain event. Violations of folkways are often met with mild disapproval, such as a look or comment, but don't typically have severe consequences.

What are mores, and why are they considered more serious than folkways?

Mores are norms that reflect a society's deeper values about right and wrong. Violating mores, such as committing adultery or being prejudiced, can result in severe consequences, including social exclusion or loss of relationships. They are more serious because they are tied to fundamental societal beliefs and ethics.

What is the significance of taboos, and what are some examples?

Taboos are the most serious norms in a society, whose violation leads to extreme disgust and potential banishment. Taboos usually involve behaviors considered morally repugnant, such as incest, pedophilia, and cannibalism. These violations often result in severe social ostracism or legal consequences.

How do laws differ from other types of social norms?

Laws are formalized and inscribed norms that are enforced by government authorities. While all laws are norms, not all norms are laws. Laws regulate serious behaviors that could harm society, such as murder or theft, and violations result in formal negative sanctions like imprisonment or fines.

How do social norms change over time and across cultures?

Social norms evolve both over time and across different cultures. What was considered acceptable behavior in the past may not be seen the same way today, such as changes in attitudes toward tattoos or musical preferences. Additionally, norms vary across different societies, meaning behaviors that are acceptable in one culture might be taboo in another.

What is culture shock, and how is it related to social norms?

Culture shock is the disorientation or anxiety someone experiences when they encounter a culture with unfamiliar norms and practices. It often arises when people are exposed to different social norms, whether it's language, food preferences, or lifestyle choices, leading to confusion or discomfort.

What is the difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism?

Cultural relativism is the practice of evaluating a culture based on its own values and standards, rather than comparing it to those of another culture. Ethnocentrism, on the other hand, is the tendency to judge other cultures by one's own cultural norms, often leading to misunderstandings or negative judgments about the other culture.