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In Sociology

This document discusses different types of norms in sociology. Norms are cultural expectations for behavior. There are four main types of norms: folkways which are customary behaviors that are socially approved but not morally significant; mores which control moral behaviors and violating them results in disapproval; taboos which society strongly prohibits with extreme consequences for violation; and laws which are written rules enforced by law enforcement with penalties like fines or jail for breaking them. Norms can vary between cultures.

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Talha Khan
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124 views2 pages

In Sociology

This document discusses different types of norms in sociology. Norms are cultural expectations for behavior. There are four main types of norms: folkways which are customary behaviors that are socially approved but not morally significant; mores which control moral behaviors and violating them results in disapproval; taboos which society strongly prohibits with extreme consequences for violation; and laws which are written rules enforced by law enforcement with penalties like fines or jail for breaking them. Norms can vary between cultures.

Uploaded by

Talha Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sociology

In sociology, you will hear the term "norm" quite often. Norms are the specific cultural
expectations for how to behave in a given situation. They are the agreed-upon expectations and
rules by which the members of a culture behave. Norms vary from culture to culture, so some
things that are considered norms in one culture may not be in another culture. For example, in
America it is a norm to maintain direct eye contact when talking with others and it is often
considered rude if you do not look at the person you are speaking with. In Asian, on the other
hand, averting your eyes when conversing with others is a sign of politeness and respect while
direct eye contact is considered rude.

There are four basic types of norms that sociologists commonly refer to: folkways, mores,
taboos, and laws.

Folkways

Folkways are often referred to as "customs." They are standards of behavior that are socially
approved but not morally significant. They are norms for everyday behavior that people follow
for the sake of tradition or convenience. Breaking a folkway does not usually have serious
consequences.

Cultural forms of dress or food habits are examples of folkways. In America, if someone belched
loudly while eating at the dinner table with other people, he or she would be breaking a folkway.
It is culturally appropriate to not belch at the dinner table, however if this folkway is broken,
there are no moral or legal consequences.

Mores

Mores are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. Mores are norms based on
definitions of right and wrong. Unlike folkways, mores are morally significant. People feel
strongly about them and violating them typically results in disapproval.

Religious doctrines are an example of mores. For instance, ff someone were to attend church in
the nude, he or she would offend most people of that culture and would be morally shunned.
Also, parents who believe in the more that only married people should live together will
disapprove of their daughter living with her boyfriend. They may consider the daughter’s actions
a violation of their moral guidelines.

Taboos

A taboo is a norm that society holds so strongly that violating it results in extreme disgust. Often
times the violator of the taboo is considered unfit to live in that society. For instance, in some
Muslim cultures, eating pork is taboo because the pig is considered unclean. At the more extreme
end, incest and cannibalism are taboos in most countries.
Laws

A law is a norm that is written down and enforced by an official law enforcement agency.
Driving while drunk, theft, murder, and trespassing are all examples of laws in the United States.
If violated, the person violating the law could get cited, owe a fine, or go to jail.

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