SOC 2106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cultural Relativism, William Graham Sumner, Ethnocentrism
20 Aug 2016
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Norms: rules and expectations by which a society guides the behaviours of its members. May be either prescription (don"t) or proscriptive (do) There are two speci c types of norms identi ed by william graham sumner. As we internalize norms, we respond critically to our own behaviour through shame or guilt. Happens at a very young age; we see others get punished or rewarded for certain actions and follow these examples. Social control; breaks down into two major categories: formal and informal. Ethnocentrism: the practice of judge another culture by the standards of one"s own culture. Instead they advocate cultural relativism which is involves the practice of judging a culture by its own standards. Aspects of life seen to warrant concern and intervention. The identi cation of a social problem is the outcome of social processes including a moral evaluation of people"s behaviour. Examples: crime, child abuse, poverty, substance abuse, racism, mental health, war, climate change.
