2_Social Norms and Social status

Social Norms, Social Status, and Social Roles

Overview

  • Culture and Society concepts by Borbála Simonovits

Social Norms

  • Definition: Invisible rules dictating appropriate behavior within society.

  • Norms inform individuals about what is considered right, good, and important.

  • Most people conform to these norms.

Types of Norms

  • Formal Norms:

    • Established, written rules recognized by the majority of society.

    • Support social institutions like the military, criminal justice, healthcare, and education.

  • Informal Norms:

    • Casual behaviors that people typically conform to.

    • Learned through observation, imitation, and socialization.

Norm Classification

Mores and Folkways

  • Terminology Origin: Coined by William Graham Sumner.

  • Mores:

    • Draw a line between right and wrong, dictate morality.

    • Violation results in significant consequences (e.g., shame, social exclusion).

  • Folkways:

    • Norms without moral basis affecting social behavior.

    • Represent customs and behaviors that vary by culture.

    • Examples: Covering mouth when coughing, appropriate attire.

Summary Table of Norms

  • Taboos: Negative norms with severe societal disapproval when violated.

  • Folkways: Informal customs that are not legally enforced but viewed as inappropriate.

  • Mores: Strong moral norms governing behavior with serious consequences on violation.

  • Laws: Legal norms defined and enforced by the government, with penalties for non-compliance.

Residual Rules

  • Definition: Rules that are unrecognized until violations occur.

  • Criteria:

    • General agreement among people on these rules.

    • Ignored or unnoticed until a breach happens.

Stanley Milgram

  • American social psychologist known for experiments on obedience in the 1960s.

  • His findings highlighted a surprising willingness of individuals to follow authority against their better judgment.

  • Published findings in "Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View" (1974).

Engaging Discussions

  • Think about social norms surrounding smoking in various cultures.

  • Reflect on personal experiences and folkways from childhood.

Norm Breaching Experiments

  • Purpose: To assess responses to violations of social norms.

  • Originates from ethnomethodology, notably by Goffman and Garfinkel.

  • Utilizes individual members' interpretations and actions based on ‘background expectancies’ during social interactions.

Examples of Norm Breaching

  • Subway Conduct:

    • Breaking expectations of silence or seat availability leads to a reaction.

  • Waiting Line Experiment:

    • Observation of reactions when intruders disrupt a queue.

    • Results show frequency of objections based on the number of intruders.

Social Status and Social Roles

Definitions

  • Social Status: Responsibilities and benefits related to one's rank in society.

  • Social Roles: Behaviors expected based on an individual's social status.

  • Roles can be complex; students can hold multiple statuses and roles.

Types of Social Status

  • Ascribed Status: Assigned at birth, unchosen attributes.

  • Achieved Status: Gained through choices and actions.

Comparison: Social Status vs. Social Class

  • Social Status: Ranking based on individual standing.

  • Social Class: Division influenced by economic background and occupation prestige.

Role Conflict and Role Strain

  • Role Strain: Inconsistent expectations from a single status.

  • Role Conflict: Competing expectations from multiple statuses.

  • Role Exit: Transitioning away from one role to establish a new identity.

Prestige and Status Games

  • Occupational Prestige: Relative societal value assigned to different jobs.

  • Types of Status Games:

    • Virtue Games: Earned through morality or integrity.

    • Success Games: Achievements in competitive fields.

    • Dominance Games: Gaining respect through intimidation.

Social Media Influence

  • Social media has become a platform for engagement in status games.

  • Can amplify or shape perceptions of success and virtue.

Conclusion

  • The dynamics of social norms, status, and roles significantly shape behaviors and interactions in society.