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Chapter 3

Chapter 3. CULTURAL CONFORMITY & ADAPTATION. SECTION 1: THE AMERICAN VALUE SYSTEM. Certain values are shared by the majority of Americans Robin Williams outlined a set of 15 values that are central to the American way of life. PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT.

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Chapter 3

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  1. Chapter 3 CULTURAL CONFORMITY & ADAPTATION

  2. SECTION 1: THE AMERICAN VALUE SYSTEM • Certain values are shared by the majority of Americans • Robin Williams outlined a set of 15 values that are central to the American way of life

  3. PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT • Value because our nation was built on individualism and competition • Most evident in the area of employment • Usually measured in terms of wealth and power

  4. WORK • Value regardless of the rewards involved • Seen as a sign of virtue • People who choose not to work are viewed as lazy or immoral

  5. MORALITY AND HUMANITARIANISM • U.S. was founded upon strong religious faith • Also was founded upon a belief in justice & equality • Most Americans view the world in terms of right & wrong (morality) • They are also quick to help those in need (humanitarianism)

  6. EFFICIENCY & PRACTICALITY • Americans tend to believe that every problem has a solution • We tend to judge items based on their usefulness (practicality) and people on their ability to get things done (efficiency)

  7. PROGRESS & MATERIAL COMFORT • We tend to believe that with hard work and determination life will continue to improve (progress) • We believe in the ability of science to make the world a better & more comfortable place (material comfort)

  8. EQUALITY & DEMOCRACY • U.S. was founded upon the principle of equality • Americans believe that democracy is the best form of government

  9. FREEDOM • Americans value freedom of personal choice and freedom from direct government interference in people’s daily lives and business dealings

  10. SELF-FULFILLMENT • A commitment to the full development of one’s personality, talents, and potential • Significant new value that has emerged in the U.S. • Some scientist view this as harmful • Christopher Lasch: wrote The Culture of Narcissism • Extreme self-centeredness

  11. Social Control • Every society develops norms that reflect values its members consider important • Norms must be upheld for society to run smoothly • Two basic means through which norms are enforced: • Internalization • Sanctions

  12. Internalization of Norms • When we believe a norm is good, useful, etc. we generally follow it and expect others to do the same • We make norms so much a part of who we are we don’t even have to think about it… we JUST DO IT

  13. Sanctions • When we don’t internalize norms we sometimes have to be motivated by sanctions. • Two types of sanctions: • Positive: • Negative: • Each of these can be Formal or Informal

  14. Social Control • Enforcing norms through sanctions or internalization. • Agents of social control include: • Authority figures • Police • Courts • Religion • Family

  15. Sources of Social Change • Values & Beliefs • Ideology • Social Movement • Technology • Discovery • Invention • Population • Diffusion • Physical Environment • Wars & Conquest

  16. Resistance to Change • Ethnocentrism • Cultural Lag • Vested Interests

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