Transcript Chp.3x
Cultural Conformity &
Adaptation
Chapter 3
Truth or Fiction
There are no values that are central to the American
way of life.
True: The population of the U.S. is extremely diverse and
the variety of values Americans hold reflect this diversity
False: Values such as freedom, liberty, and democracy,
are fundamental to America’s government, and as a
result are central to the American way of life
Truth or Fiction
The only reason people comply with the norms of
society is to avoid being punished.
True: Without laws and the threat of punishment for
breaking them, people would do whatever they desired
.
False: People also conform to society norms to be
accepted and liked, gain friends, and achieve positive
results, such as success or awards.
Truth or Fiction
Cultures change at the same rate and for the same
reasons.
True: Although the world’s cultures may vary a great
deal, they are all changing continuously and for the
same basic reasons, such as advances in technology.
False: The diversity of cultures and cultural values in the
world illustrates that cultures change at different rates
for different reasons.
Ben Franklin’s Virtues
1. Temperance: eat not to dullness; drink not to
elevation.
2. Silence: speak not but what may benefit others or
yourself.
3. Order: let all your things have their places…
4. Resolution: resolve to perform what you ought;
perform without fail what you resolve
5. Frugality: make no expense but to do good to other
or yourself; i.e., waste nothing
Ben Franklin’s Virtues
6. Industry: lose no time; be always employ’d in
something useful; cut off all unnecessary action.
7. Sincerity: use no hurtful deceit; think innocently
and justly….
8. Justice: wrong none by doing injuries…
9. Moderation: avoid extremes; forebear resenting
injuries, so much as you think they deserve
10. Cleanliness: tolerate no uncleanliness
American Core Values?
What do you think some of America’s core values are
based on the Bill of Rights and Franklins virtues?
Traditional American Values
by Robin M. Williams
Personal Achievement
Surprise?
America built on this idea and competition
Evident in areas of employment
Achievement often measured in power and wealth
Good or bad?
Traditional American Values
Individualism
Individual effort is key to personal achievement
Hard work and initiative = success
Person is to blame if they don’t have success
Traditional American Values
Work
Regardless of rewards involved, Americans value it
Discipline, dedication, and hard work = virtue
Those who don’t are lazy or even immoral
Traditional American Values
Morality and Humanitarianism
America founded on religious faith, belief in justice, and
equality
Charity toward less fortunate
Place high value on morality, view things right from
wrong
Quick to help those who are less fortunate
Traditional American Values
Efficiency and Practicality
Americans are practical and inventive people
Every problem has a solution
Find the most efficient technique for dealing with a
situation
Determine the most practical response to issue at hand
Traditional American Values
Progress and Material Comfort
Americans have always looked to the future with
optimism
Hard work and determination will lead to improved
living standards
Belief in the ability of science and technology to make
the world better and more comfortable
High value of material comfort
Traditional American Values
Equality and Democracy
U.S. founded on the principle of human equality. “We
hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are
created equal.”
Human equality=equal opportunity and chance at
success
Not everyone will have equal success.
Democracy
Traditional American Values
Freedom
Personal freedoms (name some…think Constitution)
Try and protect these from government interference in
daily lives and business
Traditional American Values
Name some other values we have no discussed
Values are vital to a stable society
Values can also lead to conflict
Not everyone agrees on what are acceptable
American vales
Individuals don’t always uphold all values the same
Our Changing Values
Values are like all aspects of society…they change
Some disappear, some new ones emerge
New American values?
Leisure time, physical fitness, and youthfulness
Self-fulfillment: commitment to the full
development of one’s personality, talents, and
potential
This can be seen as narcissism: extreme selfcenteredness
Our Changing Values
Some sociologists saw danger in focusing on the self
Weakens the est. values of hard work and moderation
Some saw it as a beneficial change, moving away
from satisfaction based on material gain
1990’s Caring for the environment
2000’s caring less
Group Up!
9 groups of 4
GROUP 1: Jazmin, Tia, Gabby, Alex
GROUP 2: Keke, Daniel, Isis, David
GROUP 3: Iman, Ellis, John, Kency
GROUP 4: Catherine, Christian, Christina, Kemric
GROUP 5: Asia, Ruvi, Megan, Giselle
GROUP 6: Olivia, Ashley, Dazmen, Precious
GROUP 7: Dakisha, Giordana, Kelli, Marcelo
GROUP 8: Dillan, Antwanesha, Angel, Shavon
GROUP 9: Nelson, Sylvia, Evelina, Lametrius
Group Up!
GROUP 1: PERSONAL ACHIEVMENT
GROUP 2: INDIVIDUALISM
GROUP 3: WORK
GROUP 4: MORALITY AND HUMANITARIANISM
GROUP 5: EFFICIENCY AND PRACTICALLITY
GROUP 6: PROGRESS AND MATERIAL COMFORT
GROUP 7: EQUALITY AND DEMOCRACY
GROUP 8: FREEDOM
GROUP 9: LIESURE AND FITNESS
Draw Some Knowledge On Me
You are to artistically demonstrate the American
value you have been assigned
BE CREATIVE!
EACH member WILL contribute or your grade will
suffer (I will be floating)
Use the entire space given
Section 2. Social Control
Remember norms? What do norms reflect?
Cultural values society deems important
For a functional society, norms must be upheld
Norms are enforced two ways: Internalization and
Sanctions
Internalization of Norms
When a norm is believed to be good, useful, or
appropriate…what do we expect?
Internalization: the way norms become part of our
personality, conforming us to society’s expectations
Cover your face when you sneeze or cough
Having manners, “please” “thank you”
Sanctions
Not everyone follows norms without conscious
thought
Not everyone internalizes societies norms…some
people must be motivated
Sanctions: are rewards or punishments used to
enforce conformity to norms
Four types of sanctions
Sanctions
Positive Sanctions
An action that rewards a particular kind of
behavior is a positive sanction
Usually taught positive sanctions at an early
age…
Give me some examples of positive
sanctions
Parental praise for good behaviors
Teachers remarks for good work or answers
Employers give pay raises to dedicated/hard
workers
Fans cheering for a great play
Negative Sanctions
A punishment or threat of punishment
used to enforce conformity is a negative
sanction
Threat is usually enough to force
conformity
Name some negative sanctions
“NO PARKING ZONE”
“TOW AWAY ZONE”
“NO LOITERING”
Formal Sanctions
If rewards or punishments aren’t regular or don’t
follow a particular behavior…what happens?
Become meaningless and they lose their power
Formal sanctions: reward or punishment given by a
formal organization or agency
School, business, or government
Positive formal sanction? Negative formal sanction?
Informal Sanctions
Formal sanctions play a major role in
maintaining social stability
But the majority of norms are forced
through…
Informal sanctions: spontaneous
expression of approval given by an
individual or group
Positive: standing O’s, compliments,
smiles, gifts
Negative: gossip, frowns, insults, ridicule
Social Control
The enforcing of norms through either internal or
external means is called social control
Various agents of social control perform external
enforcement through sanctions
Police, courts, religion, family, public opinion
No society can survive long without an efficient
system of social control
Section 3. Social Change
Some cultures change faster than others
The more culture traits, the faster change is possible
The automobile:
Changed transportation
Employment
Shopping
Housing
Leisure
Sources of Social Change: 6 Factors
Values and Beliefs
Society is interrelated parts (says who?)
Changes in society produce change throughout
Same for values and beliefs
Ideology: beliefs or ideas that justify the social,
moral, religious, political, or economic interest held
by a group or society
Often spread through social movement: long term
effort to promote social change
Examples?
Interwebs
Log onto a computer
www.scoop.it
Search: sociology, 3rd square down on left (CCW
Sociology- Social Movements)
3rd square down on the right: “Kony 2012 and the 5
craziest social movement in recent history”
Interwebs
Read through the 6 slides about the “5 craziest social
movements in recent history”
Pick 1 movement, describe when at what it was/is,
explain how social media helped, explain how this
prompted social change, and lastly your opinion if you
think it is/was/will have an impact on culture
CITE AND QUOTE EVERYTHING OR ITS PLAGARISM
Technology
Knowledge and tools used to manipulate the
environment is also known as technology
Technologies arise through discovery and invention
Discovery: new uses for existing elements or
understand thing in new ways
Inventions: using existing knowledge to create
something new
Population
Population brings changes to culture
Immigrants bringing traditions, food, language
Affects economic demands for goods and services
Affects how many jobs are available
Can create housing, food, & energy crises
Diffusion
Diffusion: spreading culture traits from one society
to another is called
Mass transportation and communication
Material culture/technology quicker than ideas/beliefs
Reformulation: adapting borrowed cultural traits
Diffusion is a 2 way street
Physical Environment
How can the physical environment affect culture?
Some cultures rely on their land to plant crops
Some cultures import their foods
The scarcity or intro. Of new foods can bring cultural
change
How can a natural disaster change culture?
Building practices, preemptive measures, etc?
Change in supply of natural resources can change
culture as well…how?
Wars and Conquest
How does a war affect a culture?
Rapid change in short time
Replacing destroyed cities
Producing war materials
Advances in technology and medicine
Morphine, cell phones, radar, GPS
Resistance to Change
Change almost always comes with opposition
Interpersonal and Societal level
After time many accept the new ideas
Others may never accept it, but adapt
Examples of societal change?
Women in the workforce
Gay marriage
Pro choice
Think About It
Using Africa, Americas, Asia, and Europe as
categories, name the traits mentioned in the article
according to their origin.
How have Native Americans and immigrant groups
influenced American Culture?
What can we conclude about the extent of cultural
diffusion that has taken place in the U.S.?
Cultural Lag
Some traits change rapidly, and the transformation of
others may take considerable time, this is time is
cultural lag
Material culture changes faster than nonmaterial
School system: summer break
Vested Interest
If we are comfortable do we like change?
Imperfection is better than an unknown future
Vested interest is protecting or promoting whatever
is to our own personal advantage
Oil crisis 1970…current?