1. Cross-Cultural Understanding
Cultural Rules for Acceptable Behavior

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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?)

8. 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?

9. 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