What Are Norms?
A Study of Beliefs and Action in a Maya Community

What are Norms? challenges the traditional Parsonian theory of the basis of social order.

Francesca M. Cancian (Author)

9780521106795, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 April 2009

224 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.34 kg

What are Norms? challenges the traditional Parsonian theory of the basis of social order and proposes a theoretical perspective that emphasises shared definitions of reality rather than personal motivation. The book begins by describing conceptions of good and bad in a Maya community. Then it explores how such normative beliefs relate to the actions of individuals and the organisation of society. Parsons' theory is not supported by previous research on attitudes and behaviour. The final chapter describes a new theoretical approach to norms and society that provides a better explanation of how people's norms relate to their actions and how norms change.

Preface
1. Introduction to the study of norms
2. Strategies for describing and measuring norms
3. Research setting: the Maya community of Zinacantan
4. The frame-sorting method for describing norms
5. Zinacanteco norms and the social order
6. Verifying the model of Zinacanteco norms
7. The theory of the socialised actor v. the evidence
8. Disconfirming evidence from the Zinacantan survey
9. Social identity: an alternative theoretical approach
Appendices 1-9
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM]