Key Idea:
In society, the same symbol or action can mean different things to different people → misunderstanding.
Examples (Exam Friendly):
👍 gesture → approval for one person, sarcasm for another
Smartphone → freedom vs distraction
Book → knowledge vs pressure
🔹 Sociological term: Symbolic interaction
🔹 Risk: Confusion, conflict, lack of coordination
➡️ Society needs shared meaning to function.
(The Nodes of the Structure)
Definition (Exam):
Roles are expected patterns of behaviour attached to a social position.
Examples:
Teacher → Student
Doctor → Patient → Nurse
Parent → Child
Friend → Friend
✔ Roles are relational (one role depends on another)
✔ Roles are relatively stable
📌 Key term: Role-set (one role connected to many others)
Definition (Exam):
Values are shared ideas about what is important, right, and desirable in society.
Examples:
Care
Respect
Education
Healing
✔ Values explain WHY roles exist
✔ They give society direction and purpose
🧠 Exam tip:
Roles tell us what to do, values tell us why we do it.
(Goffman)
Definition (Exam):
Norms are socially expected ways of behaving in specific situations.
Types:
Formal norms: strict, official (school rules, laws)
Informal norms: flexible, everyday (tone of voice, dress)
✔ Norms are interpreted and negotiated
✔ Same role → different norms in different situations
📌 Example:
Teacher:
Formal lecture style
Friendly discussion style
➡️ This flexibility allows society to adapt.
(Merton)
Definition (Exam):
Anomie is a state of normlessness where rules are unclear or absent.
Effects:
Confusion
Anger
Fear
Social instability
📌 Exam phrase to remember:
“Anomie occurs when norms fail to regulate behaviour.”
✔ Societies adjust norms when circumstances change
✔ Flexible norms prevent total breakdown
✔ Values and roles remain, norms evolve
🧠 Example:
Online teaching replacing rigid classroom norms
Definition (Exam):
Beliefs and ideologies are deeply held ideas that shape values and behaviour.
Examples:
Individualism
Collectivism
Tradition
Progress
🔁 Relationship:
Beliefs → shape values
Values → guide roles & norms
Stable society → reinforces beliefs
Culture is the invisible structure of society made up of shared roles, values, and norms. Roles provide stable positions, values give direction, and norms regulate everyday behaviour. When norms break down, anomie occurs, leading to confusion and instability. However, the flexibility of norms allows societies to adapt to change without collapsing, while deep-seated beliefs and ideologies continue to shape and reinforce cultural order.
Concept Function
Roles Define expected behaviour
Values Provide shared goals
Norms Regulate behaviour
Anomie Result of norm breakdown
Beliefs Deep cultural foundation