Chapter 4 - The building blocks of culture

Chapter 4 – Roles/Statuses In This Chapter… Review of Norms and Values I know you’re getting sick of them… Roles Statuses Group Activity in-class Stanford Prison video Milgram Experiment video Only a quiz at the end… not a full chapter test It’s a short chapter!

What is happening here?

Culture, Norms & Values How we interpret images like this depends very much on who we are, where we come from, and how we came to be there It also depends on factors that we may not be consciously aware of but have made us what we are and given us our viewpoint on the world and other people Sociologists refer to Culture, Norms & Values to explain these attitudes and beliefs

The ‘building blocks’ of culture Values Norms Customs Statuses Roles 5

Norms Norms are the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. Norms can be defined as attitudes and behaviours common to members of a particular group, or what they believe is “normal”. These rules may be explicit or implicit.

Norms Our ability to function in society depends upon the existence of these societal norms They can vary over time, cultural context and in their degree of enforcement Within a society different groups may construct their own norms

Norm or not? Driving on the left Brushing your teeth morning & night Opening doors for ladies Farting in public Wearing clothes in public Smiling at strangers Picking your nose while driving Speaking the same language as others Saying please & thank-you

Failure to stick to the rules can result in severe punishments, or taboos, the most feared of which is exclusion from the group Norms are often transmitted by non-verbal behaviour, They may also be transmitted through stories, rituals and role-model behaviour.

What is a value? “Values are ideas about what is important or what is ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in a society.” Paul Taylor (1997: 27) Values 10

Values Values are related to the norms of a culture, but they are more general and abstract than norms. They are the general principles or beliefs which underlie the norms which form our social rules Values often relate to what a society or culture regards as good or bad and what it regards as important Societies can prioritise many different values

Norm or Value? Being independent Keeping quiet in the library Respecting the sanctity of human life Not driving while drunk Sharing Acquiring wealth Conforming Not beating children

Roles What is a role? “Roles provide the means whereby values… are translated into action” Haralambos & Holborn (2008:859) “norms are associated with particular roles… roles are formal and informal social positions which carry expectations of certain types of behaviour” Haralambos & Holborn (2008:8) 13

Roles A pattern of behaviour, routines or responses we carry out in everyday life People can adopt different roles at different points in their life They may also have multiple roles Roles tend to be associated with particular expectations about behaviour and influenced by both values and norms

Roles & Social Structures “Roles form part of larger structures or institutions. For example, teachers and students are part of a larger institution such as a school or college. Within this structure there are many other roles…” Paul Taylor (1997:45)

Role Conflict Sometimes our roles conflict with each other A common example is the role conflict that many women experience In modern society women have to manage conflicting role of ‘traditional mother’ who stays at home and ‘working woman’ who maintains a career after becoming a mother

What is status? Status recognizes difference between people Status can change 2 types of status: ascribed and achieved Statuses 17

Status Status — a socially defined position in a group or in a society, which has attached to it one or more roles – What is your status? Role — the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status

What is an ascribed status? – Ascribed status is neither earned nor chosen; it is assigned to us. What is an achieved status? – Achieved status is possible where people have some degree of control and choice.

Everyone has a status! Social statuses do not exist in isolation. All statuses are interrelated with other statuses.

Ascribed & Achieved Status: What’s the difference? Prince William Troy Polamalu

Master Status Some individuals hold many statuses The role that plays the largest part in a person’s life and identify Master Status may change throughout life

Reciprocal Roles To be the role of “husband” you must have a role of “wife” Corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses

Role Expectations Teachers are expected to behave in an appropriate manner, educate their students, care for their students Socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role

What is an ascribed status? – Ascribed status is neither earned nor chosen; it is assigned to us. What is an achieved status? – Achieved status is possible where people have some degree of control and choice.

Role Performance In reality, it doesn’t always match role expectations Doctors are suppose to treat and cure their patients Does this always happen??

Role Conflict When one status makes it difficult to fulfill another status Student-Athletes Hard to maintain GPAs when sports are dominate