Sociobiology suggests that all behavior is the result of genetic or biological factors and that social interaction play no role in shaping people's conduct. Sociobiologist focus on how human nature is affected by the genetic composition of a group of people who share certain characteristics.
Some researchers insist that intellectual interest in sociobiology will only deflect serious study of the more significant influence on human behavior, the social environment. Certainly most social scientist would agree that there is a biological basis for social behavior. But there is less support for the extreme positions taken by certain advocates of sociobiology.
Elements of Culture
Each culture considers its own distinctive ways of handling basic societal task to be natural. But in fact, methods of education, marital ceremonies, religious doctrines, and other aspects of culture are learned and transmitted through human interaction within specific societies.
Language:
Language is the foundation of every culture. Language is an abstract system of word meanings and symbols for all aspects of culture. Because language is the foundation of every culture, the ability to speak other language is crucial to intercultural relations. While is a cultural universal, striking differences in the use of language are evident around the world.
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Language does more than simply describe reality; it also serves to shape the reality of a culture. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, named for two linguists, describes the role of language in shaping our interpretation of reality. According to Sapir and Whorf, since people can conceptualize the world only through language, language precedes the thought.
Berlin and Kay have noted that humans possess the physical ability to make millions of color distinctions, yet languages differ in the number of colors they recognize. For example, English language distinguishes between yellow and orange, but some other languages do not.
Feminists have noted that gender related language can reflect the traditional acceptance of men and women in certain occupations, for example policeman and fireman.
Language can also transmit stereotypes related to race. For example our culture reinforces positive associations with the term white and negative association with black.
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is the use of gestures, facial expression, and other visual images to communicate. We learn them just as we learn other forms of language, from people who share our culture. Non verbal communication is not the same in all culture. For example in Saudi Arabia, a middle age man may want to hold hand with a partner after closing a business deal, which would shock an American businessman.
Norms
Norms are the established standards of behavior maintained by society. To become significant, a norm must be widely shared and understood. The application of this norm can vary, for example, people who are viewing a serious film will be more likely to insist on the norm of silence than those who are watching a slapstick comedy.
Types of Norms
Norms are classified as either formal or informal. Formal norms generally have been written down and specify strict punishment for violators. Sociologist Douglas Black has termed law “governmental and social control,” meaning that laws are formal norms enforced by the state. Informal norms are generally understood but not precisely recorded. Standards of proper dress are a common example of informal norms.
Norms are also classified by their relative importance to society. They are known as mores and folkways. Mores are norms deemed highly necessary to the welfare of a society, often because they embody the most cherished principles of a people. Folkways are norms governing every day behavior. Folkways play an important role in shaping the daily behavior of members of a culture. In many societies around the world, folkways exist to reinforce patterns of male dominance. Various folkways reveal men's hierarchical position above women within the traditional Buddhist areas of Southeast Asia.
Acceptance of Norms
In some cases people can evade a norm because they know it is weakly enforced. Behavior that appears to violate society's norms may actually represent adherence to the norms of particular group. Teenage drinkers are conforming to the standards of their peer group when they violate norms that condemn underage drinking.
Norms are violated in some instance because one norm conflicts with another. Assume that, one night you hear the screams of a woman who is being beaten by her husband. If you decide to intervene by calling the police, you are violating the norm of “minding your own business”, while at the same time following the norm of assisting a victim of violence. Even if norms do not conflict, there are always exceptions to any norm. Secretly taping telephone conversations is normally considered illegal. However, it can be done with a court order to obtain valid evidence for a criminal trial.
Acceptance of norms is subject to change as the political, economic, and social conditions of a culture are transformed. Until 1960, formal norms throughout much of the United States prohibited the marriage of people from different racial groups. Over the last half century, such legal prohibitions were cast aside.
