Chapter 4 -

1. The building blocks of culture Chapter 4 -

2. Chapter 4 – Roles/Statuses In This Chapter… Only a quiz at the end… not a full chapter test It’s a short chapter! • Review of Norms and Values • I know you’re getting sick of them… • Roles • Statuses • Group Activity in-class • Stanford Prison video • Milgram Experiment video

3. What is happening here?

4. Culture, Norms & Values • How we interpret images like this depends very much on who we are, where we come from, and how we came to be there • It also depends on factors that we may not be consciously aware of but have made us what we are and given us our viewpoint on the world and other people • Sociologists refer to Culture, Norms & Values to explain these attitudes and beliefs

5. The ‘building blocks’ of culture 5

6. Norms • Norms are the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. • Norms can be defined as attitudes and behaviours common to members of a particular group, or what they believe is “normal”. • These rules may be explicit or implicit.

7. Norms • Our ability to function in society depends upon the existence of these societal norms • They can vary over time, cultural context and in their degree of enforcement • Within a society different groups may construct their own norms

8. Norm or not? • Driving on the left • Brushing your teeth morning & night • Opening doors for ladies • Farting in public • Wearing clothes in public • Smiling at strangers • Picking your nose while driving • Speaking the same language as others • Saying please & thank-you

9. Failure to stick to the rules can result in severe punishments, or taboos, the most feared of which is exclusion from the group • Norms are often transmitted by non-verbal behaviour, • They may also be transmitted through stories, rituals and role-model behaviour.

10. What is a value? Values “Values are ideas about what is important or what is ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in a society.” Paul Taylor (1997: 27) 10

11. Values • Values are related to the norms of a culture, but they are more general and abstract than norms. • They are the general principles or beliefs which underlie the norms which form our social rules • Values often relate to what a society or culture regards as good or bad and what it regards as important • Societies can prioritise many different values

12. Norm or Value? • Being independent • Keeping quiet in the library • Respecting the sanctity of human life • Not driving while drunk • Sharing • Acquiring wealth • Conforming • Not beating children

13. What is a role? Roles “Roles provide the means whereby values… are translated into action” Haralambos & Holborn(2008:859) “norms are associated with particular roles… roles are formal and informal social positions which carry expectations of certain types of behaviour” Haralambos & Holborn (2008:8) 13

14. Roles • A pattern of behaviour, routines or responses we carry out in everyday life • People can adopt different roles at different points in their life • They may also have multiple roles • Roles tend to be associated with particular expectations about behaviour and influenced by both values and norms

15. Roles & Social Structures Roles “Roles form part of larger structuresor institutions. For example, teachers and students are part of a larger institution such as a school or college. Within this structure there are many other roles…” Paul Taylor (1997:45)

16. Role Conflict • Sometimes our roles conflict with each other • A common example is the role conflict that many women experience • In modern society women have to manage conflicting role of ‘traditional mother’ who stays at home and ‘working woman’ who maintains a career after becoming a mother

17. What is status? Statuses Status recognizes difference between people Status can change 2 types of status: ascribed and achieved 17

18. Status • Status — a socially defined position in a group or in a society, which has attached to it one or more roles – What is your status? • Role — the behavior expected of someone occupying a particular status

19. What is an ascribed status? – Ascribed status is neither earned nor chosen; it is assigned to us. • What is an achieved status? – Achieved status is possible where people have some degree of control and choice.

20. Everyone has a status! • Social statuses do not exist in isolation. • All statuses are interrelated with other statuses.

21. Prince William Troy Polamalu Ascribed & Achieved Status: What’s the difference?

22. Master Status • Some individuals hold many statuses • The role that plays the largest part in a person’s life and identify • Master Status may change throughout life

23. Reciprocal Roles • To be the role of “husband” you must have a role of “wife” • Corresponding roles that define the patterns of interaction between related statuses

24. Role Expectations • Socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role • Teachers are expected to behave in an appropriate manner, educate their students, care for their students

25. What is an ascribed status? – Ascribed status is neither earned nor chosen; it is assigned to us. • What is an achieved status? – Achieved status is possible where people have some degree of control and choice.

26. Role Performance • In reality, it doesn’t always match role expectations • Doctors are suppose to treat and cure their patients • Does this always happen??

27. Role Conflict • When one status makes it difficult to fulfill another status • Student-Athletes • Hard to maintain GPAs when sports are dominate