1. CHAPTER 3 Cultural Conformity and Adaptation
Sociology
4/14/2017
CHAPTER 3 Cultural Conformity and Adaptation
Chapter 3

2. Starter On a Piece of Paper: 1
Starter On a Piece of Paper: 1. Brainstorm as many words using the prefix “Self” (American in common use today.) 2. What do these words suggest about American Culture?

3. Basic Values of American Culture
The American Values System
Sociologist Robin Williams identified a set 15 values
That are central to the American Way of Life.
Basic Values of American Culture
The American Value System
Personal Achievement – evident in the area of employment where achievement is measured in terms of power and wealth.
Individualism – success comes through hard work and initiative.
Work – valued regardless of reward; viewed as sign of virtue.

4. Section 1: The American Values System
Morality and Humanitarianism – religious faith, justice and equality. Charity toward the less fortunate.
Efficiency and Practicality – every problem has a solution; judge objects on their usefulness and people on their ability to get things done.
Progress and Material Comfort – Americans believe that through hard work and determination living standards will continue to improve

5. Section 1: The American Values System
Equality and Democracy – equal opportunity; right to express opinions and choose representatives in government.
Freedom – freedom of choice such as religion, speech, and press and protect them from government interference.
Racism and Group Superiority-themes that periodically lead to prejudice and discrimination against those who are racially, religiously and culturally different from the white, Northern European stock that first settled the continent.

6. What is The American Dream? “A Place at the Table,” video
Education- everyone should achieve the highest level of education that his or her abilities will allow.
Religious Values- all should live according to basic religious principles, whether or not they belong to a church, mosque or Synagogue.
Romantic Love- love should guide marriage decisions.
What is The American Dream?
“A Place at the Table,” video

7. Our Changing Values Section 1: The American Values System
Self-fulfillment – the commitment to the full development of one’s personality, talents, and potential; includes leisure, physical fitness and youthfulness.
Narcissism- extreme self-centeredness
Environmental protection-protect the environment even if it limits economic growth.

8. With your neighbor discuss the following questions:
What issues concern you the most?
Do your values differ from your parents values? In what ways?
Should social values such as morality be taught in public schools?

9. Enforcing the Norms of Society
Internalization – process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual’s personality thus conditioning that individual to conform to society’s expectations.
Sanctions – rewards and punishments used to enforce conformity to the norms.

10. Different Types of Sanctions
Positive Sanction – action that rewards a particular kind of behavior such as good grades or a pay raise.
Negative Sanction – punishment or the threat of punishment to enforce conformity such as frowns, imprisonment, and even death.

11. Formal Sanctions- Reward or Punishment given by an organization or regulatory agency.
Examples: schools, businesses, government
Informal Sanctions- A spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval.
Examples: clapping hands, booing.

12. Social Control- enforcing of norms either internalization or sanctions.
Figures of authority enforce these norms.
example: Principals at high school, police etc.

13. Main Sources of Social Change
Section 3: Social Change
Main Sources of Social Change
Ideology- system of beliefs or ideas.
Social movements- long term effort to promote or prevent social change. Ex: gay rights, civil rights, women’s rights.
Technology – knowledge and tools people use to manipulate their environment

14. Section 3: Social Change
Population – change in size of population may bring about changes in the culture.
Examples: larger population=more competition.
Examples: growing immigration= more outside cultural influences.
Examples: aging population= different focus on life style (health care)
Diffusion – the process of spreading culture traits from one society to another.
Physical Environment – the environment may provide conditions that encourage or discourage cultural change.
Wars and Conquest – are not common but bring about the greatest amount of change in the least amount of time.

15. Factors Leading to Resisting Social Change
Section 3: Social Change
Factors Leading to Resisting Social Change
Ethnocentrism – belief that one’s culture is better than another culture.
Cultural Lag – a delay in cultural change such as the introduction and use of computers.
Vested Interests – A person who is satisfied with the way things are likely to resist change. They have a vested interest in the way things are.