Cross-Cultural Understanding Cultural Rules for Acceptable Behavior

Appropriate or Inappropriate Appropriate = Socially acceptable Inappropriate = Socially unacceptable Rules for appropriate and inappropriate behavior are called norms Every society has norms Norms are very important—they hold society together But norms can also be difficult

Why norms can be difficult Norms are usually learned unconsciously Example: bowing in Japan Norms are often difficult to explain because people usually don’t think about them Norms are considered natural (though they can be very different from society to society, country to country, etc.). Example: commenting on women’s clothing in the US and Mexico

Two Types of Norms Folkways: customs for daily life, manners, dress, etc. Violating folkway norms (breaking the rule) is usually not so serious Mores: reflect deeper values (e.g. crime, marriage, lying, treatment of elderly, etc.) Violating mores is more serious—can lead to a person being outcast, shunned, etc.

Changing Norms All norms can change BUT Folkways change more easily, for example: Men’s hair Fashions Norms are not always followed in a society, for example: prostitution

Norms in the Classroom Different cultures value different behaviors in school, for example: Asking a question When to stand or sit How to address the teacher Western teachers in Japan: Sometimes expect different kinds of participation than students are used to Sometimes act more casually than students are used to Result: teacher and students may be confused, upset, frustrated

Folkways or Mores? Standing up at the beginning of class Condemning prostitution Clothing for specific situations (weddings, job interviews, etc.) Wearing earrings (men? women? children?) Suicide (acceptable or not) Taking shoes off inside a home Talking on a cellphone in public (OK or not?)

Study Questions, Part 1 What do “appropriate” and “inappropriate” mean? What are the rules for appropriate and inappropriate behavior called? Why are these rules important? Why are norms difficult? Why are norms hard to explain? What are the two types of norms? What are the results of violating each type of norm? Do norms change?

Study Questions, Part 2 Which type of norm changes more easily? Do societies always follow their own norms? What are some examples of classroom behavior that is influenced by norms? What are the different expectations involved when Western teachers teach Japanese students? What is the result? Are the following folkways or mores? Standing up at the beginning of class Condemning prostitution Clothing for specific situations Wearing earrings Suicide Taking shoes off inside a home Talking on a cellphone in public