Outline
Social Norm:
SUB TOPIC:
Behavior:
Social norms can be understood by observable behaviors, these behaviors serve as signals. A persons behavior can be a variable of what they believe others desire from them, what is acceptable, what gains them the most benefits, how others will act in the same situation, as well as what decision will reap the highest benefits.[1] The lives of individuals can be viewed through their discipline in manners. Examples include looking someone in the eyes when speaking to them but not too much, eating with your mouth closed, shaking hands when being introduced, and avoiding to stare at defects others mat have. Yet these norms are only accepted in the region they are practiced and can be portrayed differently if placed in a different location.[2] One of the benefits these norms reap is social acceptance and cooperation from the observers. When observed not following these norms set by society, the individual defying the norm is then assumed to be bad. The fear of this fate therefore leads to the importance in an individual to follow these rules set and even carry it on to their children.[3] There are social norms in a business ambiance just as there are in manners. An employee must address their boss in a certain way, never to casual and never too formal. As well as having a set attire during “casual days” in the workplace. Manners are also set in the importance of relationships. When seeking a partner, there is a trail and error process in the picking and choosing of a persons equal.[3] Flowers and gifts circulate as well as the right words and actions one must say in the place of romance in order to gain the approval or acceptance of the one the individual is pursuing.[3] After acquiring that acceptance and marriage is accomplished, trust is a factor that is continued to be attained. Remembering anniversaries, birthdays, and small details allows the partner to feel as though they are trustworthy and will continue the steady flow or romance. Due to the human importance of establishing and enhancing relationships, many parallels are found within relationships whether business or personal.[4] Such as the value of truth, vows, gifts, and attention to the object of desire. “Norms govern what clothes to wear but not the order in which one puts on one’s clothes”[5] Social norms do not cause behavior, but are the labels that we attach to behavior that result from other factors.
Deviance:
Yet, deviant behavior amongst children is somewhat expected. Except the idea of of this deviance manifesting as a criminal action, the social tolerance given in the example of the child is quickly withdrawn against the criminal. Crime is considered one of the most extreme forms of deviancy according to scholar Clifford R. Shaw.[6]
The role in which one decides on whether or not to behave is largely determined on how their actions will effect others. [1]
- Sub Topic: Guilt
Deviance causes multiple emotions one experiences when going against a norm. One of those emotions can be widely attributed to guilt. Guilt is connected to the ethics of duty which in turn becomes a primary object of moral obligation. Guilt is followed by an action that is questioned after its doing.[7] It can be described as something negative to the self as well as a negative state of feeling. Used in both instances, it is both an unpleasant feeling as well as a form of self-punishment. Using the metaphor of “dirty hands”[8], it is the staining or tainting of oneself and therefore having to self cleanse away the filth. It is a form of reparation that confronts oneself as well as submitting to the possibility of anger and punishment from others. Guilt is a point in both action and feeling that acts as a stimulus for further “honorable” actions.
- Sub Topic: Operant Conditioning in the Norm:
Coined to Barrhus Frederic Skinner, operant conditioning plays a role in the process of social norm. Operant conditioning is the increase in probability that an action will occur again is increased when a response that has occurred is reinforced.[9] This process is that of reward and punishment or trail and error. Hand in hand with deviance, the consequences of one’s behavior, whether positive or negative, will determine the probability of reoccurrence as well as the push towards regulating one’s decisions in the future.[10] Containing five sub categories, this conditioning treatment is an influence in the actions one commits and the feelings one experiences afterwards. In the case of social deviance, an individual who has gone against a norm will feel the negative connotation that comes with defying the conditioning that was taught therefore indicating negative reinforcement.[10] A perfect example is that of a little girl painting on the wall of the house as she seeks her mother’s approval of her artistic work. When the child witnesses the mother putting her in a “time out”, she realizes that if she were to paint on the wall again, it will lead to punishment therefore causing her to notice her negative reinforcement. Which then makes the probability of her painting the wall again, decrease immensely. He also states that humans are conditioned from a very young age on how to behave and how to act with those around us considering the outside influences of the society and location one is in.[10] Built to blend into the ambiance and attitude around us, deviance is a frowned upon action.
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- ^ a b Drobak, John N. "1. The Role of Social Variables." Norms and the Law. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2006. N. pag. Print.
- ^ Posner, Eric A. "Chapter 2: A Model of Cooperation and the Production of Social Norms." Law and Social Norms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2000. N. pag. Print.
- ^ a b c Posner, Eric A. Law and Social Norms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2000. Print
- ^ Posner, Eric A. Law and Social Norms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2000. Print
- ^ Posner, Eric A. Law and Social Norms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2000. Print
- ^ Dobbert, Duane L., and Thomas X. Mackey. "Chapter 12: Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay." Deviance: Theories on Behaviors That Defy Social Norms. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
- ^ Greenspan, Patricia S. "Chapter 4: Moral Residues." Practical Guilt: Moral Dilemmas, Emotions, and Social Norms. N.p.: Oxford UP, 1995. N. pag. Print.
- ^ Greenspan, Patricia S. "Chapter 6: Basing Ethics on Emotion." Practical Guilt: Moral Dilemmas, Emotions, and Social Norms
- ^ Dobbert, Duane L., and Thomas X. Mackey. "Chapter 9: B.F. Skinner." Deviance: Theories on Behaviors That Defy Social Norms. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
- ^ a b c Dobbert, Duane L., and Thomas X. Mackey. "Chapter 9: B.F. Skinner."