G671 Revision
Norms
A norm is a form of behavior, a common form of behavior which most people in a society follow. Norms have generally been established over time, passed on from generation to generation and adapted to fit the changing social climate. Although norms are based on consensus, they are not fixed and unchangeable. Examples of norms in the UK include wearing a seatbelt, forming queues in an orderly fashion and being quiet when waiting in a doctor's surgery. Of course, not everyone follows these norms, and when people don't they can be considered to be 'deviant', meaning going against the norm. Sociologists argue that shared norms play a crucial role in society as a kind of 'social glue' by binding individuals together. Sociologists disagree over where norms come from- whether they come from dominant and powerful groups in society, or from tradition. To display a norm requires an action, as it is a form of behavior. Underlying social norms are values. Fox (2004) spent three years observing Englishness and wrote a book based on her observations, trying to understand English culture and to explain what it means to be English. Her book describes and provides a commentary on English culture, identifying a number of English norms such as owning a mobile phone. This is a common practice regardless of gender, class, ethnicity and age. She describes how mobile phones are used in a number of ways, for example as a status symbol for youth, and providing males with a focus on what technological aspects the mobile has and what it can do. She suggests that women who are alone in social settings may use their mobile phone as a social barrier, as a form of attachment. Tea drinking is also considered to be an English norm.
Values
Values are general principles or beliefs, which the majority of society agrees on. Values develop over time and, although largely stable, are able to change. Values provide themes, which underlie social norms, such as wearing a seatbelt reflecting the
A norm is a form of behavior, a common form of behavior which most people in a society follow. Norms have generally been established over time, passed on from generation to generation and adapted to fit the changing social climate. Although norms are based on consensus, they are not fixed and unchangeable. Examples of norms in the UK include wearing a seatbelt, forming queues in an orderly fashion and being quiet when waiting in a doctor's surgery. Of course, not everyone follows these norms, and when people don't they can be considered to be 'deviant', meaning going against the norm. Sociologists argue that shared norms play a crucial role in society as a kind of 'social glue' by binding individuals together. Sociologists disagree over where norms come from- whether they come from dominant and powerful groups in society, or from tradition. To display a norm requires an action, as it is a form of behavior. Underlying social norms are values. Fox (2004) spent three years observing Englishness and wrote a book based on her observations, trying to understand English culture and to explain what it means to be English. Her book describes and provides a commentary on English culture, identifying a number of English norms such as owning a mobile phone. This is a common practice regardless of gender, class, ethnicity and age. She describes how mobile phones are used in a number of ways, for example as a status symbol for youth, and providing males with a focus on what technological aspects the mobile has and what it can do. She suggests that women who are alone in social settings may use their mobile phone as a social barrier, as a form of attachment. Tea drinking is also considered to be an English norm.
Values
Values are general principles or beliefs, which the majority of society agrees on. Values develop over time and, although largely stable, are able to change. Values provide themes, which underlie social norms, such as wearing a seatbelt reflecting the