Introduction to Sociology

TRY IT

2. 
   The existence of social norms, both formal and informal, is one of the main things that inform ________, otherwise known as a way to encourage and perpetuate conformity.
   
   1. 
      Values
      
   2. 
      Social control
      
   3. 
      Beliefs
      
   4. 
      Sanctions
      

Check your answers at the end of this document

GLOSSARY

beliefs: tenets or convictions that people hold to be true
culture: the shared beliefs, practices, and material objects of a group of people
ideal culture: the standards a society would like to embrace and live up to
real culture: the way society really is based on what actually occurs and exists
sanctions: rewards or punishments for accepted behavior; a way to authorize or formally disapprove of certain behaviors
social control: a way to encourage conformity to cultural norms
values: a culture’s standard for discerning what is good and just in society
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• 
  Modification, adaptation, and original content. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
  
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  What is Culture?. Authored by: OpenStax CNX. Located at: https://cnx.org/contents/AgQDEnLI@12.1:-HOYsFU6@8/3-1-What-Is-Culture. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d@3.49
  

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Social Norms

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• 
  Describe cultural norms, mores, and folkways
  

Norms

So far, the examples in this module have often described how people are expected to behave in certain situations—for example, when buying food or boarding a bus. These examples describe the visible and invisible rules of conduct through which societies are structured, or what sociologists call norms. Norms define how to behave in accordance with what a society has defined as good, right, and important, and most members of the society adhere to them.