3. Norms and Values

Norms Rules defining appropriate and inappropriate behavior of a culture –Mores: norms that involve morality –Folkways: norms that lack moral significance –Laws: formally defined and enforced norms Misdemeanors tend to be folkways or less important mores; felonies are important mores

Norms can be Pre- or Pro-scriptive Pre- you should do it –Help the elderly –Wear clothes Pro- you should NOT do it –Don’t shake a baby –Don’t wear socks with flip-flops

Is it a more, folkway, or law?

Laws to Laugh at… In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving In Arizona, hunting camels is prohibited In FL, if you leave an elephant at a parking meter, you must still pay the meter In IL, you must contact the police before entering the city in an automobile In Iowa, kisses may last for no more than 5 minutes

More Laws to Laugh at… In Maine, you must not step out of a plane in flight In Mass, no gorillas are allowed in the backseat of cars In Minn, a person may not cross state lines with a duck atop their head In Vermont, whistling under water is illegal In Washington, it is illegal to pretend your parents are rich.

Taboo Taboos are norms that are so strong they often result in physical or emotional exile of the person who commits it. –EX: incest is taboo in our culture!

Enforcing Rules Norms are often enforced with the use of sanctions: rewards/punishments to encourage behavior w/in a culture –I thank you for being kind or providing a service, but its ISS if you are tardy 5+ times!

Values Broad ideas about what is good/bad that are shared by members of a culture –Provide the basis for our norms –So, SANCTIONS (of which LAWS are a type), are used to enforce FOLKWAYS and MORES, which are types of NORMS, which are based on VALUES

US Values Equality Democracy Freedom Technology Entertainment

Complete the “Norm Curve” Add 10 norms of your culture to the curve. Pre-scriptive Pro-scriptive Mores at the ends Folkways at the curve