Cultural Conformity and Adaptation “The American Value System” Sociology: Ch 3 Section 1 Cultural Conformity and Adaptation “The American Value System”
Traditional American Values 1970: Robin Williams Formulated “15 Central American Values” 1. Personal Achievement Nation based on “Individual” & “Competition”: Economics/ Capitalism 2. Work Discipline, Dedication, and Hard Work seen as a virtue by Americans
Traditional American Values 3. Morality & Humanitarianism U.S. founded on “morality” (In Theory) Charity toward less fortunate View world in terms of “Right and Wrong” World not viewed in terms of “Different” 4. Efficiency & Practicality Americans tend to be practical and inventive Every problem can be solved Find an efficient way *Americans judge people/product on usefulness
Traditional American Values 5. Progress & Material Comfort In spite of times, Americans look to future w/ optimism Hard Work: on improving living conditions ***High value on material comfort 6. Equality and Democracy Principle of equality (In theory) Equality in opportunity Equal chance at success * Success MUST be earned Citizens SHOULD participate in Gov’t
Traditional American Values Freedom Very important Freedom of Choice and FROM Government Laissez Faire Robin Williams Nationalism -Science Patriotism -Individulism Rationality
Our Changing American Values New Values Self-Fulfillment Commitment to development of one’s own talent, personality, and potential *Education is also considered a new important value
Reactions to Change in Values Christopher Lasch The Culture of Narcissism Narcissism: Extreme self centered *Negative on society Daniel Yankelovich: Psychologists Believed that self-fulfillment is good for society “If all of the PARTS of society strive to get better, then society, as a whole, WILL get better”
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