THE COMPONENTS OF CULTURE | MARTINS LIBRARY

Norm:  Every Culture contains a large number of guidelines that direct the conducts in particular situation. Such guidelines are known as norms.

A norm is a specific guide to action, which defined acceptable and appropriate behaviour in a particular situation (Haralambs et al 2004: 416). 

For example, in all society there are norms governing dressing. Norms are enforced by positive and negative sanctions that are rewards and punishment. Sanction can be informal, such as approving or disapproving glance or informal such as rewards or a fine given by an official body.


The sanctions that enforce norms are major part of the mechanism of social control, which are concerned with maintaining order in the society or organization.

Values: Unlike norms, which provide specific direction for conduct, values provide more general guidelines. A value is a belief that something is good and desirable. It defines what is important, worthwhile and worth striving for, Haralambs et al (op cit).

In some countries like the Western Industrial nations, individual and organizational achievement and materialism are major Value. Thus (Maccland, 1961: 303) refer to which his high achievement needs and upward mobile Cultures.

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