Chapter 3: Cultural Conformity and Adaption fbsdfbdsfbdf Chapter 3: Cultural Conformity and Adaption Vocabulary Internalization Sanctions Formal Sanction Informal Sanction Social Control Ideology Social Movement Technology Cultural Lag

Section 1 at a Glance The American Value System Over the years, sociologists have identified what they believe are the core values of American society. Among these values are work, individualism, morality and humanitarianism, personal achievement, and others. American values have not stayed the same over time, however. New values, such as respect for the environment, regularly develop and become part of American culture.

The American Value System Main Idea Even though American society is quite diverse, there are certain core values that the vast majority of Americans share.

How important is work in the American value system? fbsdfbdsfbdf How important is work in the American value system?

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Other Core Values Nationalism Patriotism Science and rationality fbsdfbdsfbdf Other Core Values Nationalism Patriotism Science and rationality Racial and group superiority Education Religion Romantic love

fbsdfbdsfbdf Our Changing Values While the United States has a set of core values, new values or changed values are sometimes needed. Leisure Physical fitness Youthfulness Self-fulfillment Environmentalism Progress New Values Some scholars see self-fulfillment as a healthy new value, while others view its extreme, narcissism, as detrimental to society as a whole. Self-fulfillment and Narcissism –

In what ways have American values changed? Chapter 3 – 1 Questions In what ways have American values changed? List and describe four traditional American values. Page 51 2,3

Section 2 at a Glance Social Control fbsdfbdsfbdf Section 2 at a Glance Social Control People generally follow social norms—and expect others to as well—because they have internalized the norms that they feel are useful and appropriate. When a person has not internalized a norm, society uses sanctions to motivate his or her conformity. Sanctions can be positive or negative, formal or informal. Social control is necessary to ensure that a society functions smoothly.

Social Control Main Idea fbsdfbdsfbdf Social Control Main Idea Norms must be followed for a society to run smoothly, and they are enforced through internalization and sanctions.

What if your every misdeed were posted on a Web site? fbsdfbdsfbdf What if your every misdeed were posted on a Web site?

Internalization of Norms fbsdfbdsfbdf Internalization of Norms Every society has norms that must be upheld to run smoothly. Internalization is the process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual’s personality, thus conditioning that individual to conform to society’s expectations. Examples: Sitting in a chair instead of on the floor Stopping at a red light

Sanctions Positive sanctions Negative sanctions Formal sanctions fbsdfbdsfbdf Sanctions Positive sanctions Positive sanction: An action that rewards a particular kind of behavior Examples include: a teacher giving good grades, cheers from teammates Negative sanctions Negative sanction: A punishment or the threat of punishment used to enforce conformity. Examples include: a parking ticket, ridicule Formal sanctions Formal sanction: A reward or punishment given by a formal organization or regulatory agency Examples include: schools giving high or low grades, a business giving a raise or firing a worker Informal sanctions Informal sanction: A spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval given by an individual or group Examples include: standing ovations, gossip

fbsdfbdsfbdf Social Control Social control is enforcing norms through either internal or external means. Primary means is self-control Other agents use sanctions Police, religious figures, family, peer group, and public opinion Behavior that violates society’s basic norms jeopardizes the social order.

Death Penalty: The Ultimate Sanction fbsdfbdsfbdf Death Penalty: The Ultimate Sanction This sanction has been used since ancient times to punish murderers and other criminals. Its morality is debated today. Many nations have banned the death penalty, though the United States still allows it. Opposition to the death penalty arose during the Enlightenment, which resulted in limiting its use. Venezuela became the first country to ban the practice. By 2007, two-thirds of nations had banned the practice. Critics claim the practice is immoral and ineffective, and cannot be administered fairly. Support for the death penalty remains strong. –

fbsdfbdsfbdf Chapter 3 – 2 Questions What characteristics describe a norm that is likely to be internalized? What is the purpose of sanctions? Why is social control important to society? Why do you think the death penalty is a focus of such debate in the United States?

Section 3 at a Glance Theories of Social Change fbsdfbdsfbdf Section 3 at a Glance Theories of Social Change The functionalist perspective offers three explanations of social change. Cyclical theory suggests that societies arise, go through various stages of development, then decline. Evolutionary theory holds that societies develop toward increasing complexity. Equilibrium theory holds that change occurs in an effort to maintain social stability. From the conflict perspective, change is the result of conflict inherent in society.

Theories of Social Change fbsdfbdsfbdf Theories of Social Change Main Idea Sociologists have developed theories to describe how and why social change occurs. Functionalist theories suggest that change takes place to maintain balances in the social order. Conflict theory focuses on conflict among groups as a source of change. Questions to Ponder: What functionalist theories have been offered to explain social change? How does conflict theory explain social change?

Functionalist Theories fbsdfbdsfbdf Functionalist Theories Cyclical Theory Societies arise, develop in stages, and then decline. Oswald Spengler: Societies pass through four stages represented as human-life stages. Pitirim Sorokin: Societies swing between extremes of faith and science. Principle of immanent change: Natural tendency toward change suggested by Sorokin

Functionalist Theories fbsdfbdsfbdf Functionalist Theories Evolutionary Theory Societies change only toward increasing complexity. Additive process—each adaptation in society is the basis for future adaptations. Social changes come from many sources and take many paths. Equilibrium Theory A change in one part of the social system produces changes in all of the other parts of the system.

fbsdfbdsfbdf Conflict Theory According to conflict theorists, change results from conflicts between groups with opposing interests. Most conflicts arise from disputes over access to power and wealth. Class conflict: All societies throughout history have been subject to conflicts between the people who have power and those who lack power. Social change arises from the powerless seeking power. Violent revolution would result in classless society. Marx and Class Conflict –

fbsdfbdsfbdf Conflict Theory According to conflict theorists, change results from conflicts between groups with opposing interests. Most conflicts arise from disputes over access to power and wealth. Agreed with Marx that conflict is a central feature of all societies Claims that social conflict can take many forms Violent revolution not always necessary Modern critics claim scope of conflict theories is too limited Dahrendorf and Social Conflict –

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Social Movements Main Idea fbsdfbdsfbdf Social Movements Main Idea A social movement is a long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change. Sociologists have identified four stages in the life cycle of social movements: agitation, legitimation, bureaucratization, and institutionalization.

fbsdfbdsfbdf Social Movements A social movement is a long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change. Sociologists have identified four stages in the life cycle of social movements: agitation, legitimation, bureaucratization, and institutionalization. Explanations for the development of social movements include relative deprivation theory and resource-mobilization theory.

Types of Social Movements fbsdfbdsfbdf Types of Social Movements Social change: Alterations in various aspects of society over time Social movements: Long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change Long-lasting Highly structured organization with formally recognized leaders Deliberate attempt to institute or block societal change Can attract memberships in the millions Four types based on the level of change sought

Social Change Main Idea fbsdfbdsfbdf Social Change Main Idea The major factors that stimulate social change are values and beliefs, technology, diffusion, population, the physical environment, and wars and conquests. Ethnocentrism, cultural lag, and vested interests all create resistance to social change.

fbsdfbdsfbdf Social Change The major factors that stimulate social change are values and beliefs, technology, diffusion, population, the physical environment, and wars and conquests. Ethnocentrism, cultural lag, and vested interests all create resistance to social change.

Sources of Social Change fbsdfbdsfbdf Sources of Social Change Values and Beliefs Ideology: A system of beliefs or ideas that justifies the social, moral, religious, political, or economic interests held by a group or by society Often spread through social movements; can have far-reaching effects Technology The knowledge and tools that people use to adjust and adapt their environment Arise through discovery and invention

Sources of Social Change fbsdfbdsfbdf Sources of Social Change Diffusion Sharing and spread of cultural traits from one society to another Reformulation: The process of adapting borrowed cultural traits Population A change in size or composition of a population can cause changes in a culture. Size can affect economy. Different cultures brought together through migration.

Sources of Social Change fbsdfbdsfbdf Sources of Social Change The Physical Environment Origin of food supplies, natural disasters, and changes in the supply or demand of a natural resource can change the culture of the groups that are affected. Wars and Conquests Not as common as other sources, but more dramatic changes War often results in technological and medical advances

Resistance to Social Change fbsdfbdsfbdf Resistance to Social Change Resistance Rarely occurs without opposition Many who oppose change come to accept it. Some remain opposed but learn to adapt. Ethnocentrism People often believe that their own ideas and ways of doing things are best and strongly resist changes from outside their culture. Cultural Lag Material culture changes quickly, while nonmaterial culture lags behind and changes more slowly. New laws and customs must be formed to address new technology. Vested Interests People who benefit from the status quo usually resist change. Some people feel that the known problems of today are better than unknown problems that come with change.

What is the cartoonist implying from the caveman’s statement? fbsdfbdsfbdf What is the cartoonist implying from the caveman’s statement?

How do Dahrendorf’s views on social change differ from Marx’s views? Chapter 3 – 3 Questions How do cyclical theory, evolutionary theory, and equilibrium theory explain social change? How do Dahrendorf’s views on social change differ from Marx’s views? What are the six major factors that cause social change? What forms does resistance to social change take?

Lab: Applying What You’ve Learned fbsdfbdsfbdf Lab: Applying What You’ve Learned Analyzing Material Culture How can material culture be used to tell about cultural values and differences? In this lab, you will compare your values with others in the American Teen subculture. Bring two items that reveal your values. Compare your items with those of classmates. 1. Introduction Choose one item you value highly and one that you place little value on. Decide what value, if any, you place on the item. 2. Selecting Your Items –

Lab (cont.) 3. Analyzing Your Selection fbsdfbdsfbdf Lab (cont.) 3. Analyzing Your Selection Write an analysis of your chosen items. Describe the process you used to choose your items. 4. Presenting and Judging the Items The class will decide for each item whether the item has value or not. Each student will then explain what his or her items were, and why he or she placed such a value on the items. 5. Discussion Hold a group discussion about the differences in valuation that you discovered. How would these valuations change over time or place?