Sociology: Norms

Introduction
The Nature of Social Norms
Aspects of Norms
The Function of Norms in Socialisation and Social Control
Summary

Introduction

You will discover the characteristics of social norms in this unit. The ways in which social norms are evolving as well as the distinctions between different kinds of norms. In this article, the variety of norms in various cultures has been discussed. You will also gain knowledge of how norms contribute to socialization and social control. The issue of anomie and deviance in society is discussed in this unit.

The Nature of Social Norms

In the social sciences, the term "norms" has only recently been used technically. This is demonstrated by the fact that this term was not even present in the Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences' 1930 edition. The Latin word "norms," which is a carpenter's square or rule, is the source of the English word norm. Social group members are expected to adhere to certain standards of behavior known as social norms. The term "norms" describes the conduct that is expected of a person or a group in a particular situation.

They are guidelines for living in a social environment. No social structure can exist without social norms because social structures are made up of patterned social behavior. If people's behavior is not governed by a wide range of prescriptive and prohibitive norms, human society will undoubtedly descend into unimaginable chaos.

Changing Nature of Social Norms

Human society is supported by normative laws, in contrast to physical reality. While the laws governing the physical world are self-evident and cannot be broken, the various norms that govern interpersonal interactions and, ultimately, the social structure, are subject to violation and even change.

Social norms are rules that a group establishes to regulate how its members behave in interactions with one another and the larger community. Norms can be both prohibitive and prescriptive. Or, to put it another way, norms dictate what people must do and what they must not do.

Norms undoubtedly control how people behave, but this does not mean that physical force is always used to enforce them. As we shall see, there are many different types of norms, and the mechanisms of punishment and reinforcement by which they regulate behavior vary greatly. It should be noted, however, that most situations don't actually call for physical coercion because group members typically accept the rules that the group upholds and don't think it's appropriate to break them.

Gesellschaft and Gemeinschaft Norms

A society's customs are not always codified. In fact, many of them are not even explicitly stated. For instance, there are many different traditions and manners that influence how different family members behave toward one another but they are not codified or recorded. Since early childhood, we pick them up by observing how our elders behave. Other familial or primary groups are more or less subject to the same. The rules of contractual and secondary groups or associations, however, are more formally established. The standards or laws that govern associations are frequently put in writing. Gesellschaft and Gemeinschaft norms have been separated on the basis of this distinction. According to Earl Bell (1961), the Gesellschaft category's action norms are both logical and effective in terms of achieving societal objectives. In this area, efficiency in achieving one's goals is the only factor that matters. While in the Gemeinschaft category, people will continue to act in the same ways and according to the same routines even though they may not get the desired results. The people continue to use their outdated practices despite the evidence demonstrating the efficacy of their procedures and methods.

Bell asserts that due to the action norms' multifaceted nature, it is extremely challenging to assess their effectiveness in Gemeinschaft organizations or systems. Instead of focusing on achieving particular objectives or ends, they are more focused on meeting the needs of the members.

Discord in Norms

The foundation of norms is value. What is deemed to be good or desirable by the society at large or by a particular group is prescribed by them through relatively specific rules. Different groups have different norms, and these sometimes conflict with one another. For instance, it is expected that one should support their kinsmen in any way according to family and larger kin group norms.

One is expected to assist and employ one's kinsmen if one holds a position of authority in a government or other organization, but organizational rules call for one to choose the most effective applicant. This is merely one instance of norms being out of alignment. They emerge not only between different norms within the same group, but also within norms of different groups. By making reference to values that are viewed as more important and widely accepted, these disagreements are attempted to be resolved. According to the more overarching and fundamental values, norms are ranked higher or lower.4

Aspects of Norms

Numerous ideas can be considered to be types of the norm or ideas that are similar to it. Understanding various terms and concepts related to the concept of norm, which are frequently used in sociological literature, is necessary for a clear understanding of social norms. Among them, "folkways" and "mores" are used to approximate social norms in some ways. There are other frequently used words like manners, fashions, customs, institutions, and laws that represent different types of norms that are supported by different types of sanctions of reward and punishment that go with each of them. We must be aware of these as well in order to be conversant with the full range of social norms.

Folkways and Mores: Kindred Concepts

W was there. G. Sumner, who first published his book Folkways in 1906, is credited with popularizing these ideas. All manner of social usages and social codes are included under the umbrella term "folkways," which is extremely broad. Folkways frequently "are like products of natural forces which men unconsciously set in motion," and [are] developed out of experience," according to Sumner (1906). He emphasizes once more that while folkways are "handed down by tradition and admit of no exception or variation, change to meet new conditions. This leads to the conclusion that a vast array of folkways exert the utmost influence over human life in all its manifestations and stages of culture. We now examine the relationships and differences between folkways and mores.

Relations between folkways and mores

Mores are those folkways that are considered to be social regulators. As a result, the term "folkways" has a broader meaning, and "mores" refer to those folkways that are seen as crucial to the survival of the community. Mores are a form of folkways in this sense, but they are more rigid than folkways themselves.

Distinctions between folkways and mores

Folkways and mores are sometimes treated as separate categories by writers. For instance, Kimball Young and Raymond Mack (1972) point out that the concept of folkways is used in Sumner's own work in a general sense while mores are defined as a particular kind of folkways, but it would help clarity of thought if the two are distinguished. Young and Mack (1972) made a distinction between folkways and mores. Folkways are supposedly more widespread than mores, whereas mores are folkways that society has given more weight to. The less significant or important norms must be treated as folkways, and the more important norms must be treated as mores, in order to have a clear conceptual understanding of them. While breaking morally-judged norms or mores is punishable, breaking folkways is treated more harshly.

When compared to Young. The mores, according to this theory, are at the top of the normative hierarchy, while folkways are at the bottom. The folkways pertaining to matters like attire, style, table manners, etc. , don't arouse a lot of feeling. The worst that can happen if someone shows up dressed improperly to a formal event is that they will be asked to leave or made fun of. However, the attire or uniforms worn by those in positions like the clergy, the military, etc. , which are distinctive because they are not just clothes. They are membership and rank badges that cannot be replaced by other clothing, unlike in the case of civilians. Folkways are thought to be right, proper, and rational, but these authors contend that they may not actually be rational.

Folkways and mores are also treated by Koller and Couse (1965: 665) as separate concepts. Folkways are viewed by them as "customary ways of doing things, but they are not essential to society's well-being. So, failing to follow a folkway usually only results in mild disapproval for the offender. On the other hand, mores are thought to be "essential to the welfare of a society. As a result, they are strictly enforced.

The idea that "folkways" is a broad category, of which mores are the more potent manifestation, has a lot to recommend it. As all folkways regulate socio-cultural life in some capacity, whether to a greater or lesser extent, the only difference between them is one of degree.

Types of Norms

Different kinds of social norms are embodied in customs, fashions, institutions (in the sense of established practices), and laws. Different types of sanctions, or ways to punish and reward, uphold different types of norms. In fact, the nature of the social penalties that accompany different kinds of norms serves as a good indicator of those norms.

Customs as Norms

Social disapproval is the main punishment for breaking customary rules. Through the fear of mockery or contempt, deviation from the rules of current fashions is avoided or minimized. Institutions, on the other hand, are practices that have been so firmly established as to become standards of behavior (marriage, for instance). The state's authority is behind any laws or legal standards. The death penalty, as well as fines, incarceration, and other penalties, are used to punish those who break the law or violate legal norms.

Most of our behavior in daily life is governed by customs. They serve as the foundation for the more formal system of institutional and legal norms. Customs are accepted behaviors in society. People almost unconsciously conform to them by force of habit because they are so ingrained in a society's way of life. The people who are subject to customs hardly ever codify or record them. They are group practices that gradually develop. They are not implemented by any recognized authority. Despite being unplanned, they may be the most widespread and powerful social norms.

Fashion as Norms

Traditional societies are ruled by customs, whereas modern societies are characterized by the rise of fashion. The term "fashion" refers to a broad range of aspects of life, such as opinions, beliefs, leisure, clothing, jewelry, home decor, architecture, etc. It is, in the words of Maclver and Page (1949: 181), "the socially approved sequence of variation on a customary theme.". They notice that styles evolve over time in a cyclical manner. Although they don't go beyond customs, fashions are cultural factors that are less concerned with society's core values. They more often serve to supplement social norms. Even though it might be ugly or uncomfortable, the most recent fashion tends to be the most favored. However, even though a custom may be unfair or oppressive, it is believed that the longer it has been around, the more power it has over the populace. Thus, it would seem that the main distinction between traditional and modern societies is that, while traditional societies value things that are older, modern societies value things that are newer.

Institutions as Social Norms

In many contexts, the word "institutions" has been used. Some sociologists define it so broadly that it covers almost everything that is socially accepted. The definition of institution provided by Maclver (1949: 15) is more restricted. He defined institutions as being "established forms or conditions of procedure characteristic of group activity.". Institutions are social norms in this sense as well. These social expectations are so compelling that they become the prerequisites for behavior. Institutions represent greater social acceptance and compulsion than customs.

Legal Norms

Integration and Conflict of Norms

Even though there are many different types of social norms in stable societies, these are regulated and unified by values that are broadly shared by almost everyone. There is never a society where everyone completely abides by the norms. However, there tends to be a lot of agreement about fundamental principles and the propriety of social norms that these principles underpin in stable traditional societies. However, there is still some tension between different norms in such societies.

Conflict over norms, however, reaches new heights in contemporary complex societies, which are characterized by unheard-of levels of social differentiation and a rapid pace of social change. Subgroups in these societies frequently have rules that are at odds with the more general social norms. There are subcultures associated with crime, for instance. Deviance can also exist that is not necessarily considered to be criminal. These eventually lead to bizarre subcultures.

In addition, deviance and the conflict between norms are often amplified by rapid social change. It can be challenging to distinguish between right and wrong when moral standards are shifting quickly. The simultaneous existence of various systems of values and norms weakens the spirit of conformity due to rapid social change as well as significantly increased contact between various cultures and ethnic groups. People tend to steadfastly uphold a single set of standards when they are familiar with them. However, once they become aware of a wide range of alternative standards and values, they stop seeing these as sacred and untouchable. Women in modern urban life are a prime example of role conflicts that they encounter. Role conflict arises for women in their daily lives because the values associated with each role they play—mothers, wives, working women, daughters, and daughters-in-law—tend to be in opposition to one another. Even men today must navigate conflicts between their traditional expectations of male superiority and their modern values of treating women equally.

Diversity of Norms in Different Cultures

The norms of various cultures differ in countless ways. There is a wealth of examples of different norms in various societies and social strata in sociological and anthropological literature. It would be challenging to even categorize norms due to their extreme variety.

There aren't many behaviors that are universally frowned upon in society, as Maclver and Page (1949: 20–21) note, with mother-son incest being the exception. The cultural practices differ greatly from one another. People cover their heads to show respect in some societies, but uncover them in others. While some people forbid marriage outside of their community, others do the opposite. In some societies, there is a strict sex code that only applies to married people; in other societies, it also applies to single people but not to married people. As a result, we can see that there are significant differences between societies and social groups with regard to the fundamental norms. Therefore, Maclver and Page caution the sociology student to develop an objective method for researching other cultural systems if they want their research to be scientific.

Ethnocentrism exists even in the face of such a wide range of social norms. The stark differences between the norms of various societies serve as a reminder of the importance of relating social phenomena to their cultural context. However, we frequently have a tendency to compare other people's behaviors to our own standards. It's ethnocentrism, then. A large portion of the dominant social science itself appears to be deeply effected by western ethnocentrism.

The Function of Norms in Socialisation and Social Control

The processes by which human infants become social beings are referred to as socialization. Internalizing social norms from the group to which one belongs is a necessary component of socialization. In other words, through the process of socialization, social norms become ingrained in the personality of the individual.

As a result, a person who has received adequate socialization does not see the social norms of his or her community as obstacles. On the other hand, when one complies with the standards and values of their society, they are perceived as being right and proper, and one even tends to believe that they are acting as dictated by their own conscience.

By social control, we mean the structure and maintenance of the social order. Norms are the most important factor in the process of social control because they are what govern social behavior. Furthermore, the patterning of social relationships cannot be stable in the absence of such regulation. Therefore, social groups that embody distinctive social relationship patterns cannot endure. Without norms functioning, social organization could not be sustained.

Deviance

Norms set the guidelines for how people should behave in relation to one another, different groups, and the community at large. This does not imply that everyone in a society is always expected to act in accordance with social norms, though. There are a number of reasons why people deviate from the norm, all of which warrant careful investigation in terms of both general theory and specific societal context. Such research would inevitably lead to a deeper comprehension of the structure and operation of social norms.

Anomie

Literally, the term "anomie" refers to a lack of norms or a lack of rules. However, it is uncommon for there to be no norms at all. There can be a haziness to norms on occasion. However, the term "anomie" is more frequently used to denote ambivalence toward norms. RdotK. The discrepancy between goals that are legitimately pursued and the ways in which they are defined culturally is how Merton explains anomie.

Summary

This article has taught you more about social norms and their makeup. Additionally, you have learned about related ideas and types of norms, such as folkways and mores. Additionally explained are integration and normative conflicts. The role of norms in the socialization and social control processes has been covered in this unit. We've discussed how deviance and anomie affect society. The diversity of norms across cultures has also been discussed.