Sociology – Lesson #1

1. Sociology – Lesson #1 Understanding the terms Values, Norms, Rules, Roles and Status

2. Norms • Definition: The unspoken and unwritten rules of behaviour in everyday life. • We learn them during socialisation and they tell us what we should and shouldn’t do in particular situations (parents or others / observation / trial and error / seeing other people’s reactions)

3. Norms • Examples: • The woman with the bathing suit in Ledras • Guy wearing lipstick and coloured nails • Guys kissing, holding hands etc. • Failure to follow the norms will lead to punishment or exclusion from the group - The formation of many little societies in a Society

4. Values • Definition:The belief that something is good or valuable. • Values define what is important, worthwhile, and worth striving for. They are the beliefs that lie behind the social norms.

5. Values Examples: • Bus sits (the almost empty bus) • Bread (a gift from God) • Patriotism (defend to death)

6. Values Examples: • Child labouring (crime or a matter of life / death) • Individualism of the Western societies Vs Cheyenne of North America (possessions were considered worthless except for the prestige that could be acquired by giving them away) The role of Religion in the formation of values.

7. Roles Definition:Roles are a set of normative expectations • Roles are linked to the norms and values of a society. Social order is possible because we understand and play our roles.

8. Roles Examples: • Teacher – relationships with students • Father – son • Role conflict – Mother and employee / Lawyer and MP • Role Distance – Teenage mother • Role defined differently from other’s expectation – Mr. D. Christofias “I’m sorry”

9. Status Definition:The position someone has in the society. There is ascribed status and achieved status. • Ascribed: Gender, ethnicity, being a mother/father/sister/brother • Achieved: Career