Becoming a member of the society
Enculturation/Socialization: Identity Formation (Identities, Disciplines, and
Aspirations)
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 define and explain the different concepts regarding enculturation and socialization,
 discuss the development of one’s self and others as a product of enculturation and
socialization, and
 prove that identity, disciplines, and aspirations are necessary for the development of
personal and cultural identity.
 What does it mean to be a person?
 In a society where there are many cultures, how do you form your personal identity?
Find out the answers in this lesson!
What is the difference between socialization and enculturation? How is enculturation related to
socialization?
Society is different from culture. There are many cultures within a society. While members of
society share many of the same expectations and experiences, the cultural groups create ones
that differentiate them from others in society.
Enculturation
the process by which an individual
adopts the behavior patterns of the culture in
which a person is immersed
Socialization
It is the process through which
people learn to understand the societal norms,
expectations and values as members of
society.
Study the chart that further explains the
differences and relationships of socialization
and enculturation.
Identity formation starts when one learns
to socialize and be aware of the culture,
behaviors, language, morals, and norms of
where he or she belongs in. However, as a
person grows, he or she learns to make his or
her own set of beliefs, values, and morals.
This is how a person develops an identity. This is what makes a person different from others.
Identity is what makes a person distinct from others. It is the total knowledge and
understanding of an individual about who he or she is.
Types of Identity
1. Personal
 the concept an individual develops about himself or herself
 the sense of oneself as a distinct or unique individual
 may depend on the age and circumstances of a person
Example: Rolen is an African girl. She is the most quiet student in her class. She believes that
time is gold, so spends her free time studying her lessons.
2. Cultural
 the identity of the culture to which a person belongs in
 the feeling or sense of belongingness to a group
 a collective sense of companionship that involves the same beliefs, interests, and
fundamental principles of living
Example: In the Philippines, the Agta tribe has been practicing a unique culture for centuries.
Old men wear the bahag, a unique style of clothing. They prefer to stay in the forest than to
stay in lowlands. They mainly look for natural food sources.
Study the chart that further explains the two types of identity.
Discipline
 a way of behaving that expresses a willingness to obey rules or laws
 behavior that is judged by how well a person follows a set of rules or orders
Kinds of Discipline
Discipline is categorized into different types.
1. Discipline of Nature or Reality
A person meets this kind of control every time he or she tries to do something. A person learns
to do things on his or her own without the supervision of others.
Example: Ryan rented a bicycle near his town. He does not know yet how to ride the bike. He
fell many times, but he did not stop trying. He was so motivated to learn how to ride the bike
that he tried to learn on his own, and eventually, he was able to ride it.
2. Discipline of Culture or Society
What this discipline instills in every culture is distinct, different, and unique. A person learns
according to what he sees in his society or his culture.
Example: Mika wears the trendiest dresses these days. She wears them so she can be “in”
with the latest social trends.
3. Discipline of Superior Force
This discipline is the opposite of the discipline of nature or reality. In this training, a person
learns through supervision and guidance.
Example: A single mother raised Patricia. Her mother always reminded her not to fall in love
because of her personal idea that men are cheaters. Even if Patricia does not know how it
feels to be brokenhearted, she does not entertain any suitor.
Development of Personal Identity and Aspirations
Personal identity develops in many ways, depending on preferred directions.
 It may be through enculturation and socialization.
 It may also come through observation of a role model.
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Becoming a member of the society
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You tend to imitate a successful person that leads to changes in personality.
Your personal identity may change and eventually, you may develop a clear sense of
yourself.
Aspiration is a strong desire and ambition with which someone is motivated to work hard.
Example: Rico at 20 years old identified himself as a happy-go-lucky guy. He might discover
that, at 35 years old, he is a different person. Perhaps he is living a good life with his family.
He would like his children to have a comfortable life in the future.
Explore!
Observe the different political parties in our country. Can you describe the differences between
the Liberal Party (LP), the United Oppositions (UNO), and the People’s Reform Party (PRP) in
the context of different cultures?
Try it!
Ask two persons about their personal identity development and aspirations. Compare them
with yours.
What do you think?
Is there a difference between one’s thoughts or feelings and one’s behavior? When is it
enculturation? When is it socialization?
Keypoints
 Enculturation is the process by which an individual adopts the behavior patterns of
the culture in which an individual is immersed.
 Socialization is the process through which people learn to understand the societal
norms, expectations, and values as a member of the society.
 Identity formation starts when you learn to socialize and be aware of the culture,
behaviors, language, morals, and norms of where you belong in.
 Identity is the total knowledge and understanding of a person of who he or she is.
 Discipline is the control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed
and punishing bad behavior.
 Aspiration is a strong desire and ambition with which someone is motivated to work
hard.
1.
What is the process by which an individual adopts the behavior patterns of a
particular culture?
 enculturation
 socialization
 identity
 development
 Explanation
 Enculturation pertains to the process in which a person learns the culture of where he
belongs in.
2.What is the process through which people get to understand the societal norms,
expectations, and values as members of society?
 socialization
 aspiration
 enculturation
 discipline
 Explanation
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Socialization is a lifelong process of embracing norms, customs, values, and
ideologies, providing an individual with the skills and habits necessary for
participating in societal activities.
3. What is referred to as a strong desire and ambition by which someone is motivated to
work hard?
 aspiration
 identity
 improvement
 inspiration
 Explanation
 Aspiration also pertains to one’s ambition or aim to be a better person.
 Q4
 The Japanese are known for being disciplined. Misha is Japanese, so her classmates
assumed that she is a disciplined person.
 What type of identity is being described?
 cultural Identity
 personal identity
 implied identity
 shared Identity
 Explanation
 Cultural identity pertains to the character of a culture to which a person belongs in.
Being disciplined is Misha’s cultural identity.
 Q5
 Michael wants to cross the street to catch the ball, but he feels hesitant because he
knows his mom will get mad if he does it.
 What kind of discipline is shown?
 discipline of superior force
 discipline of culture
 discipline of nature
 alternative discipline
 Explanation
 Discipline of superior force is the training in which a person learns through
supervision and guidance. Michael learned not to cross the street alone from his
mom.
 Q6
 Roy grew up, finished schooling, landed a job, got married, and became a parent.
This development is ideal as far as his society is concerned.
 What kind of discipline did Roy portray?
 discipline of culture
 discipline of nature
 discipline of superior force
 extrinsic discipline
 Explanation
 Discipline of culture pertains to the discipline in which a person learns according to
what he sees in his society or his culture.
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Becoming a member of the society
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Q7
Single Answer
Rosa left her son alone in the crib for her personal necessities. When she came back,
she saw her son trying to go down from the crib on his own.
What discipline does the second statement portray?
discipline of nature
discipline of culture
discipline of superior force
self-discovered discipline
Explanation
Discipline of nature pertains to the training in which a person learns to do things on
his own without the supervision of others. Rosa’s son learned to get out of his crib
without any help from others.
Q8
Which of the following responses is correct?
1. Culture and our personal identities are not static.
1. Personal identity develops over time and can change depending on the individual's
chosen direction.
Both statements 1 and 2 are true.
Both statement 1 and 2 are false.
Statement 1 is true. Statement 2 is false.
Statement 1 is false. Statement 2 is true.
As people move through life, their past personal events reciprocate with their cultures
in a dynamic complexity.
Q9
Why is it important for a person to develop his or her identity?
to be a unique individual
to have a sense of belongingness
to be a legitimate member of society
to be secured from harm and danger
Explanation
As a person grows, he learns to develop his personal and cultural identity. It is what
makes him different from others, yet at the same time, makes him feel a sense of
belongingness.
Q10
Which of the following options is not a direct effect of a society of people with
positive aspirations?
environmental sustainability
social stability
attainment of the community’s goals
peace and harmony in society
Explanation
Environmental sustainability focuses on the environment.
Enculturation/Socialization: Norms and Values
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 define and explain different concepts of norms and values,
 discuss the relations and functions of norms and values, and
 prove that norms and values are essential factors in the development of one’s self,
others, and the community as a product of enculturation and socialization.
What characteristics should a person demonstrate to be considered as a useful member of
society?
Find out the answer in this lesson!
Learn about it!
For society to function well, it must be guided by cultural principles of behavior to maintain
stability, peace, and harmony. Every society has its set of accepted norms and values of its
culture that is socially accepted.
Norms are standards or sets of accepted behaviors that a person is expected to follow or
exemplify in the society where he or she belongs in. It pertains to specific guidelines of
conduct in society that guides its members on how to act in particular situations.
Classification of Norms
Norms can be classified in many ways. Norms are either formal or informal.
Norms are also categorized by their relative importance to society. This classification is
distinguished from the intensity of feelings they initiate and the consequences that flow from
violations of them.
Folkways
They are the customs of people that came from repetition and routines.
Examples:
 the practice of waiting in line
 courtesy to older people
Mores
 stricter than folkways
 determines what is the moral and ethical behavior
 dictates what is right and wrong
Examples:
 religious doctrines such as the prohibition of pre-marital sex
 the belief that forms of discrimination and suppression are unethical (e.g.racism and
sexism)
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Becoming a member of the society
Taboos
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very strong negative norms
strict prohibition of certain behaviors that society holds firmly
violating it results in extreme disgust or expulsion from the group or society
Examples:
 cannibalism
 incest
Laws
 formally instituted by the government
 exist because its violation can result in injury or harm to other members of society
 impose sanction on people who disobey the authority
Examples:
 curfews for minors
 laws against domestic violence
Values refer to the abstract idea of people about what is necessary or worthwhile. Values are
general guidelines that are fundamental parts of our lives. They stand for the things we
believe in. Most of the values we have are learned from family, friends, school, media, and
other sources in society.
Classification of Values
Values can be classified into two types.
1. Individual Values
These values are those that are connected with the development of human personality.
Examples: honesty, loyalty, honor
2. Collective Values
These values are those that are connected with the development of unity in the community or
society.
Examples: equality, justice, solidarity
Relationship Between Norms and Values
Here are some significant relationships between norms and values.
Functions of Social Norms and Values
Values are general guidelines which govern our daily behavior. They are the guidelines for
our judgments, thereby playing a vital role in the maintenance of stability and harmony in
society.
Norms are specific guidelines which allow us to function or act appropriately in society. They
are a set of behaviors that is perceived to be acceptable to its members. Following norms
results in social order and gives a feeling of security, safety, and harmony.
Social norms and values perform the following primary functions:
Explore!
What are the norms that should be observed during class discussions and examinations?
Try it!
Form a group composed of five persons. Discuss and decide on the top five critical values that
society must uphold based on the issues and challenges that the nation is currently facing.
What do you think?
If a person leaves his present society and transfers to a new one, it is possible that his
personal values will also change?
Keypoints
 Norms are the standard or accepted behaviors that a person is expected to follow in
society. They are either formal or informal.
 Norms are also classified by their relative importance to society. They
are folkways, mores, taboos, and laws.
 Values may be explained as measures of goodness or desirability. They are classified
as either individual values or collective values.
 Values provide the justifications for accepting or rejecting specific norms.
 Norms and values are critical factors in the development of one’s self, others, and the
community as a product of enculturation and socialization.
 Q1
 What term refers to the standard of accepted behavior that a person is expected to
follow in society?
 norms
 values
 deviance
 socialization
 Explanation: Norms set the accepted behavior that a person should follow as a
member of society.
 Q2
 What word refers to the general guidelines that is a fundamental part of our lives and
stands for the things we believe in?
 values
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Becoming a member of the society
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norms
enculturation
socialization
Explanation: Values refer to the person’s standard of behavior which he or she
considers important in life.
Q3
What norm determines what is moral and ethical behavior?
mores
folkways
laws
taboos
Explanation
Mores dictates what is moral and ethical in a person’s behavior. It determines what is
right and wrong.
Q4
Which of the following is not a collective value?
honesty
equality
justice
unity
Explanation
Honesty is an individual value because it is connected with the development of the
human personality and not of society as a whole.
Q5
Richard raises his hand to take a turn speaking in a group.
What norm is being described?
folkway
mores
law
taboo
Explanation: This practice creates order in the process of discussing issues or topics.
Q6
Alija does not eat pork because the pig is considered unclean.
What norm is being described?
folkway
mores
law
taboo
Explanation: In a Muslim culture, eating pork is taboo because the pig is considered
unclean. If Alija violates this taboo, she is considered unfit to live in her society.
Q7
The signage reads: Vandalism is strictly prohibited.
What norm is being described?
mores
folkway
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law
taboo
Explanation: Destruction of property is not moral and is considered unacceptable.
Q8
You are seated in a bus. An old lady boarded the bus and stood in the aisle because
all seats are already taken.
What will you do?
Offer your seat to the old lady.
Chat with the old lady during the trip.
Take a picture of the old lady.
Ask the old lady to sit on your lap.
Explanation: Our society’s etiquette and customs dictate that we should offer our
seats to the elderly when they have no place to sit. This is a sign of courtesy and
respect.
Q9
Your classmate cheated during your midterm examination. He got caught by the
teacher and was reprimanded.
What value did your classmate fail to observe?
honesty
loyalty
perseverance
justice
Explanation
Honesty is being true to oneself and to others which is vital for the development of
human personality.
Q10
If values are the basis of our judgments, what do they imply?
Values must be worthwhile for us to have good morals.
Values are dependent on the wishes of other people.
Values should be under the examination of the government.
Values can be optional depending on the situation.
Explanation: Values must be useful because they serve as our general guidelines in
life and they stand for the things we believe in.
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Enculturation/Socialization: Statuses and Roles
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 define and explain the different concepts regarding statuses and roles as part of the
social structure,
 identify statuses and roles played by oneself and others in the community, and
 evaluate the impact of the various statuses and roles of people for the attainment of
society's goals.
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Becoming a member of the society
You have a friend named Paulene, a 30-year-old Filipino-Indian female from New Delhi. She
grew up in slum areas. Paulene knew at an early age that she wanted to be a lawyer. She
graduated from college with flying colors and was eventually accepted as a scholar at a
prestigious law school. Now, at the age of 30, she works as a lawyer in a private company in
the United Kingdom. It was there that she met her better half with whom she has four
children.
 Can you name Paulene’s roles and statuses?
 What typical roles and statuses do people play in society?
Learn about it!
Statuses
Our society is guided by a network of similar statuses and roles that govern human
interactions that we call social structure. It also refers to the manner in which society is
arranged into predictable interactions.
Status
 describes the position an individual occupies in a particular setting, in a group, or in
society
 defines and clarifies the rights and obligations expected from a person
Example: a farm boy, a teacher, a human rights defender
Classifications of Statuses
There are three kinds of statuses.
1. Ascribed Status
 a position a person holds in a social system that one attains involuntarily or by birth
 inherited and not based on the person’s abilities, accomplishments, or efforts
 can be rigid and unchanging since it is given to a person when he is born and is often
involuntary
Example: a Filipino national, a male or a female, a king or a queen, a son of a vendor, a
firstborn
2. Achieved Status
 a position one holds in a social system that one attains based on merit or effort
 acquired due to unique skills, knowledge, or abilities, and are based on standards
that can be controlled
 a position that has been earned or chosen and is mostly dictated by abilities, skills,
and life choices
Example: a student, an employee, a doctor, an artist
3. Master Status
 the greatest role in a person’s life that determines social identity and general position
in society
 can be based on any status, such as gender, ethnicity, economic status, religious or
spiritual tradition, employment status, or family responsibility such as a parent or
grandparent
 may come with a sense of prestige for some−the consensus from the community
around them that a status is to be desired
Example: a CEO, an activist, a Pope
The chart shows the differences among the three statuses.
Learn about it!
Roles
 expectations that are set for a person given the status he or she occupies
 pertains to the norms, behaviors, values, and personal characteristics that are
attached to the status of the person
Examples:
Status: student
Roles: attending classes, studying lessons, communicating with the teacher
Status: teacher
Roles: teaching, giving feedback, assessing or evaluating the performance of the students
Status: call center agent
Roles: answering questions, solving problems, researching information
The chart below shows the different statuses and their corresponding roles.
Role Exit and Role Conflict
What are some issues concerning roles?
Role exit pertains to the course of disengaging a person from his or her role that is essential
to his or her self-identity.
Example: when a person retires from a long career and must shift from the role of an
employee with responsibilities to someone just living a comfortable life, or when an individual
becomes a parent and has to change their lifestyle.
Role conflict arises when incompatible expectations occur from two or more statuses that a
person is occupying. Performing the assigned role of one status makes it challenging for the
person to play the assigned role of another status.
Example: It is very challenging for a woman to be the best mother to her children and the
best employee to her company all at the same time.
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Becoming a member of the society
The Impact of Statuses and Roles in Attaining Society’s Goals
As members of society, people acquire statuses and roles which are necessary for socializing
within their society. These statuses and roles are important elements in the process of
socialization because they serve as agents for the fulfillment of society’s goals.
We are all encouraged to fulfill the roles of the statuses we are occupying at present and in
the future stages of our lives for us to be better members of the community.
Explore!
Think of your parents or your guardians. What are the multiple statuses they are
occupying at present and the roles attached to those statuses?
Try it!
List at least three (3) roles for each status.
 male or female
 police officer
 business tycoon
What do you think?
What do you think will happen to society if its members fail to fulfill the roles of their
respective statuses?
Keypoints
 Status refers to the particular position that a person occupies in a particular scenario
or setup.
 Roles refer to the norms, customs, values, and personal characteristics that are
attached to the status of the individual.
 Ascribed status is a position a person holds in a social system that one attains
involuntarily or by birth.
 Achieved status is an acquired position due to unique skills, knowledge, or ability
and are based on standards that can be controlled.
 Master status pertains to the status of the person which determines his or her
general position in society.
 Role conflict takes place when two or more statuses are incompatible.
 Role exit pertains to the course of disengagement of a person from his or her role
that is essential to his or her self-identity.
1.What describes the position a person occupies in a particular setting?
 Correct answer
 status
 law
 society
 role
 Explanation: We occupy several statuses and play the roles that may be linked to
them.
 Q2
 What is the set of norms, behavior, values, and personal characteristics attached to
the status of a person?
 Correct answer
 role
 status
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level
culture
Explanation: An individual may hold the statuses of student, employee, and boss, and
play one or more roles with each one.
Q3
What pertains to the status of the person which determines his or her general
position in society?
master status
ascribed status
prescribed status
achieved status
Explanation: Master status refers to the general position of the person or the greatest
role in the person’s life that determines his or her social identity.
Q4
Dr. Mendoza is a school principal. He supervises the teachers, cooperates with the
parents, and manages the whole operation of the school.
What does the italicized sentence pertain to?
status
role
talent
skill
Explanation: Status pertains to the position of a person he or she is holding in a
particular group. In this case, Dr. Mendoza's status is that of a school principal.
Q5
Single Answer
Question
Jenny is a guidance counselor. She attends to the needs of students by counseling
them and guiding them in decision-making.
What does the italicized sentence pertain to?
Correct answer
roles
statuses
obligations
rights
Explanation
Roles pertain to the expected norms, behavior, and values that the person holding a
particular status is performing. The italicized sentence is describing Jenny's roles as a
guidance counselor.
Q6
A man is having a hard time balancing his time between his job as a manager and his
responsibilities as a father.
What is he experiencing?
role conflict
role exit
master status
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Becoming a member of the society
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role crisis
Explanation
Role conflict arises when there is incompatibility of expectations from a person about
his roles because he is occupying two or more statuses.
Q7
Josh just graduated from college last week. He is still in the process of adjusting to
life outside of the university.
What is Josh experiencing?
role exit
role conflict
role crisis
achieved status
Explanation: Role exit pertains to the disengagement of a person from his role that is
important to his self-identity.
Q8
How do statuses and roles guide human interactions?
They guide people on what to expect from others.
They discipline the mean people in society.
They help lead to progress.
They counteract deviance in society.
Explanation: Since statuses and roles guide the social structure of society, they
arrange our process of socialization into predictable interactions.
Q9
What is the advantage of occupying multiple statuses in life?
It contributes more to the attainment of society’s goals.
It makes people rich and wealthy.
It gives a chance for one person to be the next leader of the country.
It paves the way for a person to be praised all the time.
Explanation: Occupying multiple statuses in life is healthy. Playing roles well will help
the community be a better place to live in.
Q10
Why are statuses and roles important in the process of enculturation and
socialization?
They serve as agents for the fulfillment of society’s goals.
They are determinants of a person’s destiny.
They serve as agents to make people busy with their lives.
They act as controlling factors to people’s behaviors.
Explanation: Statuses and roles are important in attainingsociety’s goals. Such goals
will not be achieved if elements are lacking in the process of socialization. It is the
process of socialization that leads members of society to work together to attain its
goals.
Conformity and Deviance: Social Control
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 explain the inevitable existence of conformity, deviance, and social control in the
social processes of our everyday lives,
 discuss the significant part or role of gossip, social ostracism, laws, and punishments
to social control,
 analyze the societal goals and socially acceptable means to survive,
 and discuss the consequences of defying and conforming to social order.
Suppose that in one exclusive school, it is the norm for students to be at their best behavior at
all times while inside the school premises. All students therefore continuously make an effort
to maintain their grace, poise, and good appearance in order to avoid any sanctions.
Liz, a difficult and problematic student, transferred to the same school last year. In just one
year of stay, she was able to set up at least 5 pranks on her classmates and teachers. Despite
being punished for several times, she still cuts classes and comes to school not wearing the
prescribed uniform. There was also a time when she punched two of the school's guards
because they did not let her vandalize the principal's office. Liz's classmates do not want to be
friends with her because of her behavior. They call her "Crazy Liz" behind her back.
Analyze the scenario.
 What qualities characterize conformity and deviance?
 How does deviance affect a person's social status?
 Will actions have an effect on social status if they were unintentional?
Find out the answers in this lesson!
Learn about it!
Conformity and Deviance
In our everyday lives, we notice that there are specific standards for our actions, simple or
complex, set by society. People tend to have different responses with these imagined
pressures depending on their upbringing, values, or ideals. These reactions are
called conformity and deviance.
Conformity
 is linked to the obedience of a person to the norms in order to be acceptable in a
particular society, group, or social setting
Example: The majority of the class members, through a group consensus, agreed to accept
the proposal.
Deviance
 is the non-conformity or violation of the standards of conduct, expectations, or norms
of a particular group or society
Example: There are power struggles among netizens who disagree on the re-imposition of
the death penalty.
Social Control
It is believed that society must have a social order to function smoothly. The social order
includes social standards, laws, rules, and norms which are set by society, whether they are by
the majority or by a hierarchy. Ideally, people must exhibit social order, but in reality, no
society succeeds in getting all its members to behave as expected all the time. If social order
is seen as the only way for communities to survive, they must have ways of making people
conform to social norms.
Objectives
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Becoming a member of the society
Social Control Theory
 This is based on the idea that a person's fundamental belief system, values, morals,
commitments, and relationships promote a protected environment.
 Oftentimes, individuals who have these beliefs and commitments have a level of selfcontrol over their actions.
 It examines or evaluates how society affects criminal behavior.
 It emphasizes the idea that when people are involved and in contact with their
community, they are less likely to perpetrate criminal acts.
Gossip, Social Ostracism, and Laws and Punishments
Failure to embrace the accepted norms and values of society or inability to perform the roles
of a person’s status may lead to consequences in the form of gossip, social ostracism, and
laws and punishments.
Gossip
 refers to the idle talk or rumors about the personal or private matters of others
 may lead to the discrediting of the reputation of the subject
Social Ostracism
 refers to the exclusion of an individual from being socially accepted
 includes the removal of social privileges and friendship with the general members of
the society
 a result of one's actions that give him or her an impression of not being a worthy
member of that society
Laws and Punishments
Laws refer to the set of rules by the government to regulate the way in which society
behaves.
Punishments pertain to the pain, penalty, or suffering that is imposed on a person who
violates a law.
People learn the mechanisms of social control through interactions with other people. Couples
who are expected to have a respectable family choose not to quarrel out loud to avoid being
talked about around their neighborhood.
An individual will conform with his peers to avoid social rejection or ostracism. To avoid
punishment, people must follow the law.
Social Processes and Relationships
The illustration below shows the social processes and relationships of deviance, conformity,
and social control.
In the given scenario earlier, the school was the representation of society−the students were
the conformists and Liz was the defiant one. The school had particular rules and standard of
behaving, and Liz's actions caused disturbance within the school. They did not only cause
chaos, but they also led Liz to be stigmatized.
Negative sanctions will be given to people who exhibit deviant acts, while effective sanctions
will be given to those who observe or conform.
Explore!
Bert is invited to an event that requires a particular costume. Not well-informed and not so
serious about it, he arrives with no costume at all.
Will Bert be criticized for not conforming to the required attire? Will he feel shy throughout the
event? How will Bert behave at the start of the event? Do you think this deviant behavior will
have a psychological effect on him?
Try it!
During recess or class break, try wearing your shirt differently−with its front displayed at your
back−and walk backwards as if it is your normal way of walking. Expect students to stare at
you, look confused, and talk about you.
What do you think?
Given the reality in this modern time, do you think that complete conformity to the rules, laws,
standards, and norms will result in social order and deviance will lead to chaos? Why? Why
not?
Keypoints
 Conformity is linked to the obedience of a person to the norms that are acceptable
in a particular society, group, or social setting.
 Deviance is the non-conformity or violation of the standards of conduct,
expectations, or norms of a particular group or society.
 Social control theory is based upon the idea that an individual's underlying belief
system, values, morals, commitments, and relationships foster a proper environment.
 Social order is considered to be the only solution to achieve societal survival and
social control. Conformity is the only way to achieve this.
 Gossip, social rejection or ostracism, and laws and punishments are forms of
social pressures that contribute to the exhibition of social control.
 Deviance, conformity, and social control are always present in a given society or
group. These are not limited to a high number of people but to a group that is
capable of setting standards, rules and norms.
9
Becoming a member of the society
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Q1
Which of the following defines conformity?
It is the obedience of a person to the rules to be acceptable in a particular society,
group, or social setting.
It is the violation of the standards of conduct, expectations, or norms of a particular
group or society.
It is a strong negative reaction from others that may result in a negative sanction.
It is the force that disables the existence of social standards.
Explanation: A person that conforms to a group follows all its rules, standards, and
norms.
Q2
Which of the following defines deviance?
It is the non-conformity or violation of the standards of conduct, expectations, or
norms of a particular group or society.
It implies obedience to the rules that make a person acceptable to a particular
society, group, or social setting.
It refers to the acceptance of cultural goals and the legitimate or approved means of
achieving them.
It means going through a group consensus to justify the majority rule.
Explanation: Deviance includes all acts that exhibit non-conformity to the standards,
laws, norms, and rules of a group or society.
Q3
What does society need in order to survive?
social control
socialization
deviance
conformity
Explanation: Social control includes social standards, laws, rules, and norms which
are set by society, whether they are by the majority or by a hierarchy.
Q4
Which of the following situations does not demonstrate social order?
a Filipino showing a thumbs up to a Russian
a car stopping at red light
following the school’s dress code
a servant bowing to the Japanese emperor
Explanation: Some actions are accepted in different cultures and countries that are
not accepted on your own. A thumbs up in the Philippines signifies “okay” or “great,”
but in Russia, it is equivalent to a middle finger.
Q5
Approval from your peers is an example of what concept?
conformity
deviance
social control
social order
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Explanation: Peer approval implies obedience to the norms that make a person
acceptable to a particular society, group, or social setting.
Q6
In the current society, what components lead to social defiance?
crimes
norms
survival
control
Explanation: Social order is set by society whether it is by the majority or by a
hierarchy in order to attain societal survival.
Q7
What does a person exhibit when he or she violates social norms that offend a large
number of individuals who are in a position to influence social judgment?
deviance
sanction
social control
conformity
Explanation: A person exhibits non-conformity when he or she violates the standards
of conduct, expectations, or norms of a group or society.
Q8
A group of five friends attended an orientation by their prospective college
organization. Four of them wanted to join the club, but one of them does not want to
because his parents restricted him. However, because he does not want to be left
out, he still signed up for membership.
What social control does the situation present?
social rejection
gossip
laws
punishment
Explanation: Gossip, social rejection or ostracism, laws, and punishments are forms of
social pressures that contribute to the exhibition of social control. in the given
scenario, the individual was afraid to be left out or rejected so he joined the group.
Q9
Roman Catholic churches have a dress code that indicates which clothes are not
allowed to be worn when entering the church. This system includes wearing a dress
above the knee, shorts, slippers, sleeveless, and headwear. One beautiful day, four
women entered the church.
Woman 1 wore shorts with a spaghetti strap as a top.
Woman 2 wore a t-shirt and pants.
Woman 3 a dress below the knee.
Woman 4 wore doll shoes.
Which person demonstrated deviance?
woman 1
woman 2
woman 3
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woman 4
Explanation: The Roman Catholic Church is an example of a religious group that
exhibits social control to its followers based on their teachings and traditions.
Deviance is non-conformity to the rules, laws, and standards of a given group or
organization.
Q10
John, a high school sophomore, occasionally drinks a bottle of alcohol. His circle of
friends do not care. His parents, however, are very dismayed and punished him. John
countered by sneaking a drink of liquor whenever he can.
John's drinking is an illustration of what?
deviance
conformity
outer control
positive sanction
Explanation: The situation illustrates the violation of the standards of conduct.
Conformity and Deviance: Forms of Deviance
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 describe deviance as explained by the Structural Strain Theory, and
 identify the forms of deviance.
 What causes deviant responses or behaviors as explained by the Structural Strain
Theory?
 What are the different forms of deviance?
Find out the answers in this lesson!
Review
Conformity and Deviance
The concept of conformity is linked to the obedience of a person to the norms to be
acceptable in a particular society, group, or social setting.
Deviance, on the other hand, is the non-conformity or violation of the standards of conduct,
expectations, or norms of a particular group or society.
Note that deviant behavior is relative. A particular society may consider a certain behavior
deviant, but the same behavior may be acceptable in another society
Learn about it!
Deviance as Explained by the Structural Strain Theory
The forms of deviance are the responses or adaptations by people in a society caused by the
imbalance or “strain” between the valued goals in the society and the legitimate or acceptable
means to achieve such goals. This idea is taken from the Structural Strain
Theory conceptualized by sociologist Robert K. Merton. Two variables taken into account in
this theory are valued goals and legitimate means to achieve goals.
Valued Goals
These are goals that are defined by society as valuable, or simply, the goals that are typically
pursued in a society.
Example: financial success
Legitimate Means to Achieve Goals
These are the acceptable ways people can do to achieve such valued goals in a society.
Example: get a good education
Learn about it!
Types of Adaptation
In our everyday lives, we would notice that there are actions considered to be legitimate or
acceptable for a particular society toward achieving valued goals.
While people usually conform to legitimate or acceptable means to achieve goals, there are
people who will not. One reason for this is because the legitimate means are just not available
for them, and so unequal opportunities exist to achieve these goals. Merton identified five
typologies of how people adapt to their value system or the goals-means dynamics of their
respective society.
These typologies are:
 conformity–accepts goals and the institutionalized, acceptable or legitimate means
of obtaining them,
 ritualism–rejects goals and accepts or adheres to institutionalized means of
obtaining them,
 retreatism–rejects both goals and means of obtaining them,
 rebellion–creates new goals and new means of obtaining them, and
 innovation–accepts goals and rejects institutionalized means of obtaining them.
Ritualism, retreatism, rebellion, and innovation are forms of deviance.
Learn about it!
Forms of Deviance
Merton conceptualized four responses that are considered deviant and caused by a strain or
imbalance between valued goals and legitimate means in a particular society.
Ritualism
Ritualism is exhibited when someone rejects traditional cultural goals but still adheres to the
culturally approved methods or rules for making progress towards the same goals.
Example: An employee still stays in his job even though he is aware that it is a dead-end job.
In ritualism, people experience feelings of despair and anomie (social instability) that result to
modification or abandonment of the idealized cultural goals, but still persist at a ritualized,
unfulfilling line of work.
Retreatism
Retreatism is the response that rejects or abandons both cultural goals and the
institutionalized or legitimate means for attaining them.
Example: Examples of people who exhibit retreatism are drug addicts and alcoholics. The
ultimate form of retreatism is suicide.
Innovation
Innovation entails the acceptance of the valued goal but the rejection of legitimate or
institutionalized means to achieve them (resorting to criminal or delinquent acts).
Example: An example of this is when a person wants a nice car but does not have enough
money, so he steals money from the bank. Some people may resort to stealing or dealing
drugs to achieve cultural goals.
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Becoming a member of the society
Rebellion
Rebellion not only rejects the valued goals and the legitimate means of the established
society but also actively attempts to substitute new goals and means. This can be applied to
political deviants who attempt to modify the existing structure of society.
Example: Examples for this are neo-Nazis and other hate groups. The rebels will publicly
acknowledge their intention to change the norms and the social structure.
The table below summarizes Merton’s typology of individual adaptations.
Legend:
 "+" signifies acceptance
 "–" signifies rejection
 "+ and -" signifies rejection of prevailing goal or means and substitution of new goal
or means
Explore!
In the particular society that you live in, you can observe different people and groups that
exhibit any of the five types of adaptations or responses. Notice their way of expressing their
beliefs toward specific ideals, values, norms, or cultural goals and categorize them according
to their action or statement.
What do you think?In today’s time, different ideologies, religions, cultures, and traditions have
already emerged and are recognized, resulting in a diverse society. Different needs and
expectations are expressed by groups and individuals according to their social status. Given
this situation, do you think that the presence of these five adaptations is inevitable in a given
society? Why or why not?
Tip
A person can exhibit different types of adaptations depending on the situation. He or she
might be a conformist in school, following all the rules, while also being an innovator when it
comes to his or her interests. A person’s response and adaptation is not always linear. It
clearly depends on how the person weighs the situation according to his or her needs.
Keypoints
 Conformity is the obedience to the norms that make a person acceptable to a
particular society, group, or social setting.
 Deviance is the non-conformity or violation of the standards of conduct,
expectations, or norms of a group or society.
 Robert K. Merton developed the Structural Strain Theory to explore how people
respond to cultural values and how they are supposed to achieve them.
 There are five typologies of how people adapt to the value system of their
respective society and these are conformity, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion, and
innovation.
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The four forms of deviance are ritualism, retreatism, rebellion, and innovation.
A person’s response or adaptation is not always linear. It clearly depends on how
the person weighs the situation according to his or her needs.
Q1
Single Answer
Question
What are the two main responses of an individual or group to real or imagined
pressures including the norms, standards, rules, and laws set by society?
Correct answer
conformity and deviance
rebellion and conformity
innovation and retreatism
ritualism and deviance
Explanation
The two main responses are either to obey them (conformity) or not (deviance),
therefore possibly resorting to violence.
Report errors
Q2
Single Answer
Question
What form of deviance rejects both cultural goals and institutionalized means and
then replaces them with new ones?
Correct answer
rebellion
retreatism
ritualism
innovation
Hint
Examples of this are Satanists, Neo-Nazis, and other hate groups.
Explanation
This active attempt to substitute new goals and means which calls for a new social
order is a typical response of the social reformer or revolutionary.
Report errors
Q3
Single Answer
Question
What form of deviance exhibits negative responses to both cultural goals and
institutionalized means of achieving the goal?
Correct answer
retreatism
ritualism
rebellion
innovation
Hint
Examples of this are runaways, transients, drug users, and alcoholics.
12
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Explanation
People who exhibit retreatism struggle to reach seemingly unreachable goals through
unrewarding methods and retreat from a social system and culture.
Report errors
Q4
Single Answer
Question
The cause of deviance can be traced to what?
Correct answer
the tension between desired cultural goals and the means of achieving them
the breakdown of the family and other social controls
the presence of diverse cultural groups
the exploitative nature of capitalism
Hint
Limited access to means causes a person to perform deviant acts.
Explanation
Deviance is a behavior that exhibits non-conformity or violation of the standards of
conduct, expectations, or norms of a group or society.
Report errors
Q5
Single Answer
Question
According to the Structural Strain Theory, retreatists are likely to engage in what type
of deviant activity?
Correct answer
drug abuse
sexual assault
robbery
terrorism
Hint
It involves complete escape from the pressures and demands of organized society.
Explanation
People who exhibit retreatism struggle to reach the seemingly unreachable goals
through unrewarding methods and retreat from a social system and culture.
Report errors
Q6
Single Answer
Question
Which situation demonstrates the highest form or retreatism?
Correct answer
suicide among the elderly
criminal acts
road violation
rehabilitating drug users
Hint
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It involves complete escape from the pressures and demands of organized society.
Explanation
People who exhibit retreatism struggle to reach the seemingly unreachable goals
through unrewarding methods and retreat from a social system and culture.
Report errors
Q7
Single Answer
Question
What does a person exhibit when he or she violates social norms that offend a large
number of people or people in a position to establish new set of ideals for the
betterment of society?
Correct answer
rebellion
ritualism
retreatism
conformity
Hint
In this, the person publicly acknowledges his or her intention to change the norms
and the social structure with the interests of building a better society.
Explanation
A person exhibits a deviant act when he or she violates the standards of conduct,
expectations, or norms of a group or society.
Report errors
Q8
Single Answer
Question
The Ku Klux Klan is an example of which type of structural strain?
Correct answer
rebellion
innovation
retreatism
ritualism
Hint
Ku Klux Klan rejects the goals and means of the established society but actively
attempts to substitute new goals and means in their place.
Explanation
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), or simply "the Klan" in the United States have advocated
extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy and expressed it historically
through terrorism against groups or individuals.
Report errors
Q9
Single Answer
Question
From a sociological standpoint, cannibalism exhibited by the rugby team who was
stranded for months in the Andes demonstrates that eating human flesh is _.
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Correct answer
a rational response to a difficult situation
an irrational response to a difficult situation
an example of peer pressure
an unreasonable response
Hint
Cannibalism, on that extreme situation, was generally accepted as something they
had to do to survive.
Explanation
The nature of deviance is not only in the personality of the deviant person, nor is it
inherently in the deviant act itself, but instead it is a significant part and product of
the social structure.
Report errors
Q10
Single Answer
Question
The Roman Catholic church requires its members to attend the mass every Sunday.
They have a dress code that indicates which clothes are not allowed to be worn when
entering the church. This includes wearing a dress above the knee, shorts, slippers,
sleeveless, and headwear. One Sunday, four friends wearing (1) shorts with a
spaghetti strap as a top, (2) t-shirt and pants, (3) dress below the knee, and (4) doll
shoes attended the mass in order to comply with the goal of attending the mass
every Sunday.
Which person demonstrates a deviant act of innovation?
Correct answer
woman #1
woman #2
woman #3
woman #4
Hint
Mass attendance is the goal and complying with the dress code is the mean.
Explanation
Roman Catholic Church is an example of an institution that sets their own cultural
goals and imposes means to its members and followers to achieve those goals.
Equality should reign in society. No race, physical disability, sexual orientation, or religious
belief can stop anybody from protecting his or her dignity and enjoying his or her rights as a
person.
Report errors
Q10
Single Answer
Question
What is the importance of attaining and protecting the common good in society?
Correct answer
It makes people live a life with quality.
It raises awareness among people.
It opens the eyes of many to the injustices committed around the community.
It leads people to be miserable.
Explanation
To give people a life with quality is the ultimate goal of every society. This is attained through
the recognition of people’s dignity and rights. When this happens, the common good, which is
the order and happiness of the majority in the community, is reached.
Q9
Single Answer
Question
What does the line “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” mean?
Correct answer
There should be no discrimination in society.
There should be liberty and peace in society.
There should be a fair distribution of wealth.
There should be people owning property.
Explanation
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