Cultural Conformity & Adaptation Chapter 3

 There are no values that are central to the American way of life.  True: The population of the U.S. is extremely diverse and the variety of values Americans hold reflect this diversity  False: Values such as freedom, liberty, and democracy, are fundamental to America’s government, and as a result are central to the American way of life Truth or Fiction

 The only reason people comply with the norms of society is to avoid being punished.  True: Without laws and the threat of punishment for breaking them, people would do whatever they desired.  False: People also conform to society norms to be accepted and liked, gain friends, and achieve positive results, such as success or awards. Truth or Fiction

 Cultures change at the same rate and for the same reasons.  True: Although the world’s cultures may vary a great deal, they are all changing continuously and for the same basic reasons, such as advances in technology.  False: The diversity of cultures and cultural values in the world illustrates that cultures change at different rates for different reasons. Truth or Fiction

 1. Temperance: eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.  2. Silence: speak not but what may benefit others or yourself.  3. Order: let all your things have their places…  4. Resolution: resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve  5. Frugality: make no expense but to do good to other or yourself; i.e., waste nothing Ben Franklin’s Virtues

 6. Industry: lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary action.  7. Sincerity: use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly….  8. Justice: wrong none by doing injuries…  9. Moderation: avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries, so much as you think they deserve  10. Cleanliness: tolerate no uncleanliness Ben Franklin’s Virtues

 What do you think some of America’s core values are based on the Bill of Rights and Franklins virtues? American Core Values?

 Personal Achievement  Surprise?  America built on this idea and competition  Evident in areas of employment  Achievement often measured in power and wealth  Good or bad? Traditional American Values by Robin M. Williams

 Individualism  Individual effort is key to personal achievement  Hard work and initiative = success  Person is to blame if they don’t have success Traditional American Values

 Work  Regardless of rewards involved, Americans value it  Discipline, dedication, and hard work = virtue  Those who don’t are lazy or even immoral Traditional American Values

 Morality and Humanitarianism  America founded on religious faith, belief in justice, and equality  Charity toward less fortunate  Place high value on morality, view things right from wrong  Quick to help those who are less fortunate Traditional American Values

 Efficiency and Practicality  Americans are practical and inventive people  Every problem has a solution  Find the most efficient technique for dealing with a situation  Determine the most practical response to issue at hand Traditional American Values

 Progress and Material Comfort  Americans have always looked to the future with optimism  Hard work and determination will lead to improved living standards  Belief in the ability of science and technology to make the world better and more comfortable  High value of material comfort Traditional American Values

 Equality and Democracy  U.S. founded on the principle of human equality. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”  Human equality=equal opportunity and chance at success  Not everyone will have equal success.  Democracy Traditional American Values

 Freedom  Personal freedoms (name some…think Constitution)  Try and protect these from government interference in daily lives and business Traditional American Values

 Name some other values we have no discussed  Values are vital to a stable society  Values can also lead to conflict  Not everyone agrees on what are acceptable American vales  Individuals don’t always uphold all values the same Traditional American Values

 Values are like all aspects of society…they change  Some disappear, some new ones emerge  New American values?  Leisure time, physical fitness, and youthfulness  Self-fulfillment: commitment to the full development of one’s personality, talents, and potential  This can be seen as narcissism: extreme self- centeredness Our Changing Values

 Some sociologists saw danger in focusing on the self  Weakens the est. values of hard work and moderation  Some saw it as a beneficial change, moving away from satisfaction based on material gain  1990’s Caring for the environment  2000’s caring less Our Changing Values

 9 groups of 4  GROUP 1: Jazmin, Tia, Gabby, Alex  GROUP 2: Keke, Daniel, Isis, David  GROUP 3: Iman, Ellis, John, Kency  GROUP 4: Catherine, Christian, Christina, Kemric  GROUP 5: Asia, Ruvi, Megan, Giselle  GROUP 6: Olivia, Ashley, Dazmen, Precious  GROUP 7: Dakisha, Giordana, Kelli, Marcelo  GROUP 8: Dillan, Antwanesha, Angel, Shavon  GROUP 9: Nelson, Sylvia, Evelina, Lametrius Group Up!

 GROUP 1: PERSONAL ACHIEVMENT  GROUP 2: INDIVIDUALISM  GROUP 3: WORK  GROUP 4: MORALITY AND HUMANITARIANISM  GROUP 5: EFFICIENCY AND PRACTICALLITY  GROUP 6: PROGRESS AND MATERIAL COMFORT  GROUP 7: EQUALITY AND DEMOCRACY  GROUP 8: FREEDOM  GROUP 9: LIESURE AND FITNESS Group Up!

 You are to artistically demonstrate the American value you have been assigned  BE CREATIVE!  EACH member WILL contribute or your grade will suffer (I will be floating)  Use the entire space given Draw Some Knowledge On Me

 Remember norms? What do norms reflect?  Cultural values society deems important  For a functional society, norms must be upheld  Norms are enforced two ways: Internalization and Sanctions Section 2. Social Control

 When a norm is believed to be good, useful, or appropriate…what do we expect?  Internalization: the way norms become part of our personality, conforming us to society’s expectations  Cover your face when you sneeze or cough  Having manners, “please” “thank you” Internalization of Norms

 Not everyone follows norms without conscious thought  Not everyone internalizes societies norms…some people must be motivated  Sanctions: are rewards or punishments used to enforce conformity to norms  Four types of sanctions Sanctions

 An action that rewards a particular kind of behavior is a positive sanction  Usually taught positive sanctions at an early age…  Give me some examples of positive sanctions  Parental praise for good behaviors  Teachers remarks for good work or answers  Employers give pay raises to dedicated/hard workers  Fans cheering for a great play Positive Sanctions

 A punishment or threat of punishment used to enforce conformity is a negative sanction  Threat is usually enough to force conformity  Name some negative sanctions  “NO PARKING ZONE”  “TOW AWAY ZONE”  “NO LOITERING” Negative Sanctions

 If rewards or punishments aren’t regular or don’t follow a particular behavior…what happens?  Become meaningless and they lose their power  Formal sanctions: reward or punishment given by a formal organization or agency  School, business, or government  Positive formal sanction? Negative formal sanction? Formal Sanctions

 Formal sanctions play a major role in maintaining social stability  But the majority of norms are forced through…  Informal sanctions: spontaneous expression of approval given by an individual or group  Positive: standing O’s, compliments, smiles, gifts  Negative: gossip, frowns, insults, ridicule Informal Sanctions

 The enforcing of norms through either internal or external means is called social control  Various agents of social control perform external enforcement through sanctions  Police, courts, religion, family, public opinion  No society can survive long without an efficient system of social control Social Control

 Some cultures change faster than others  The more culture traits, the faster change is possible  The automobile:  Changed transportation  Employment  Shopping  Housing  Leisure Section 3. Social Change

 Society is interrelated parts (says who?)  Changes in society produce change throughout  Same for values and beliefs  Ideology: beliefs or ideas that justify the social, moral, religious, political, or economic interest held by a group or society  Often spread through social movement: long term effort to promote social change  Examples? Sources of Social Change: 6 Factors Values and Beliefs

 Log onto a computer   Search: sociology, 3 rd square down on left (CCW Sociology- Social Movements)  3 rd square down on the right: “Kony 2012 and the 5 craziest social movement in recent history” Interwebs

 Read through the 6 slides about the “5 craziest social movements in recent history”  Pick 1 movement, describe when at what it was/is, explain how social media helped, explain how this prompted social change, and lastly your opinion if you think it is/was/will have an impact on culture  CITE AND QUOTE EVERYTHING OR ITS PLAGARISM Interwebs

 Knowledge and tools used to manipulate the environment is also known as technology  Technologies arise through discovery and invention  Discovery: new uses for existing elements or understand thing in new ways  Inventions: using existing knowledge to create something new Technology

 Population brings changes to culture  Immigrants bringing traditions, food, language  Affects economic demands for goods and services  Affects how many jobs are available  Can create housing, food, & energy crises Population

 Diffusion: spreading culture traits from one society to another is called  Mass transportation and communication  Material culture/technology quicker than ideas/beliefs  Reformulation: adapting borrowed cultural traits  Diffusion is a 2 way street Diffusion

 How can the physical environment affect culture?  Some cultures rely on their land to plant crops  Some cultures import their foods  The scarcity or intro. Of new foods can bring cultural change  How can a natural disaster change culture?  Building practices, preemptive measures, etc?  Change in supply of natural resources can change culture as well…how? Physical Environment

 How does a war affect a culture?  Rapid change in short time  Replacing destroyed cities  Producing war materials  Advances in technology and medicine  Morphine, cell phones, radar, GPS Wars and Conquest

 Change almost always comes with opposition  Interpersonal and Societal level  After time many accept the new ideas  Others may never accept it, but adapt  Examples of societal change?  Women in the workforce  Gay marriage  Pro choice Resistance to Change

 Using Africa, Americas, Asia, and Europe as categories, name the traits mentioned in the article according to their origin.  How have Native Americans and immigrant groups influenced American Culture?  What can we conclude about the extent of cultural diffusion that has taken place in the U.S.? Think About It

 Some traits change rapidly, and the transformation of others may take considerable time, this is time is cultural lag  Material culture changes faster than nonmaterial  School system: summer break Cultural Lag

 If we are comfortable do we like change?  Imperfection is better than an unknown future  Vested interest is protecting or promoting whatever is to our own personal advantage  Oil crisis 1970…current? Vested Interest