Values, Norms and Beliefs

Sociology

Fatima Aslam Hafsa Amjad

Presented by :-

Contents

Social Norms

Definition Explanation Aspects of norms Cultural norms Social norms Functions of Social norms Social values Definition Explanation Values and norms

 

Types of values Cultural values Social values Difference between Cultural and

Social values Beliefs Belief and Religion Belief System Difference between Values, Norms

and Beliefs

Social Norms

“Norms refer to the ‘group-shared expectations’.” Young and Mack

“A norm is a rule or standard that governs our conduct in the social situations in which we participate.”Robert Biesrdt

Definition

Explanation:

Social norms consist of rules of conduct and models of behavior prescribed by a society. They are rooted in the customs, traditions and value systems that gradually develop in this society. The rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit.Failure to stick to the rules can result in severe punishments, the most feared of which is exclusion from the group. A common rule is that the some norms must frequently be displayed; neutrality is seldom an option.

Aspects of Norms:

Cultural NormsCultural norms are ideally expected manners of behavior. These are the goals of society. Cultural norms are codes of behavior found in books, ideas of parents and expectations of society.

Social NormsSocial norms are socially approved ways of behaviors. The ways to which people have no objection and are accepted by them. these norms guide us in our actions. They distinguish man from animals. Human beings are controlled and guided by these norms. Human behavior has a direction, and ideology and a purpose which are guided by norms.

Social Values

Definition

“A value is a belief that something is good and worthwhile. It defines what is worth having and worth striving for. ” M. Haralambos

“Values are general conception of’ the good’ , ideas about the kind of ends that people should pursue throughout their lives and throughout the many different activities in which they engage. ” Peter Worslay

Explanation

Social values are large concepts includes social capital as well as the subjective aspects of the citizens' well-being, such as their ability to participate in making decisions that affect them. Value is a goal or objective and it can be achieved through its respective institutions like

•Values of power attained through political institutions•Values of health attained through economic institution and further more

Types of values

Cultural ValuesCultural values are hereditary and form core of the culture. The costumes, rituals, convections, styles and fashions remain in the core of culture

Social values:

These are current values of social groups in the society. Cultural values have been adopted by society in their daily social life. The youth like them. they accepted present social life and the direct aims of people. That is why they are popular in young people and criticized by old ones.

Difference between Cultural and Social Values:

Cultural values are the ideas and social values are real goals of the people.

Cultural values change slowly than the social values. Cultural values change, then changes in social values follows. E.g. the

ideology of Pakistan is cultural value and the birth of Pakistan the social value.

The teachings of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) are cultural values and following them is social value.

Cultural values do not change automatically it is the people them by their ideas, customs, attitudes and the actions.

Belief:

“Belief is an act of sensitive part rather than rational part of our nature.” Hume

Belief and Religion Religious activities are based on belief. Beliefs are the religious idea which supports the religious rituals and ceremonies.

Belief Religious ceremonies Religion

Difference between Values, Norms and Beliefs:

Norms are expected and accepted ways of behaving, e.g. wearing shoes. Values are what people regard as desirable, e.g. having money, the value of education, freedom of speech, etc whereas Beliefs are the convictions that we generally hold to be true, usually without actual proof or evidence. 

Values represent our aims, desires, and goals. They are usually abstract, and are further defined by criteria. Beliefs are judgments that connect our values and criteria to our experiences. 

Norms are standards of behavior that are typical or accepted within a particular group or society. Values are beliefs about what is wrong and right and what is important in life.

Difference between Values, Norms and Beliefs: (cont..)

Norms are socially approved ways of behaving that are considered normal w.r.t specific condition whereas values are ideas about the correct form of behavior e.g. human life is sacred. Beliefs are simply specific statements that people told to be true.

Values are formed of the culture. When certain things are exercised in a culture on continuously bases then it becomes value of that culture. Norms are the repetitive action of the people of the society that are served as guide lines for people to be acted upon.

  

Beliefs are basically assumptions that generally hold to be true without actual proof or evidence. Our beliefs grow from what we see here experience read and think about.

Beliefs are the assumptions we make about ourselves, about others in the world and

about how we expect things to be. Beliefs tend to be deep set and our values stamp from our beliefs.