1. Cultural Conformity and Adaptation “The American Value System”
Sociology: Ch 3 Section 1
Cultural Conformity and Adaptation
“The American Value System”

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Traditional American Values
Freedom
Very important
Freedom of Choice and FROM Government
Laissez Faire
Robin Williams
Nationalism -Science
Patriotism -Individulism
Rationality

6. 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

7. 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”

8. Review Assignment:
Main Assignment: Your Favorite Celebrity