📌 Concept 8: Norms and Values

📌 Concept 8: Norms and Values

Short Note (English)

Norms are the rules and expectations that guide the behavior of individuals in a society. They define what is acceptable or unacceptable (e.g., greeting with respect, obeying traffic rules). Norms can be folkways, mores, customs, or laws.

Values are the shared ideas and beliefs about what is desirable, good, and important in society. They represent the guiding principles (e.g., honesty, equality, freedom, respect). Norms are based on values, and together they maintain social order.

সংক্ষিপ্ত নোট (Bengali)

Norms (নিয়ম/আচরণবিধি) হলো সেইসব নিয়ম ও প্রত্যাশা, যা সমাজে মানুষের আচরণকে নিয়ন্ত্রণ করে। এগুলো গ্রহণযোগ্য ও অগ্রহণযোগ্য কাজকে নির্ধারণ করে। যেমন—বয়োজ্যেষ্ঠদের সম্মান করা, ট্রাফিক আইন মানা। নর্মস হতে পারে folkways, mores, customs, laws।

Values (মূল্যবোধ) হলো সমাজে কোনটি ভালো, কাম্য ও গুরুত্বপূর্ণ—এই বিশ্বাস ও ধারণা। যেমন—সততা, সমতা, স্বাধীনতা, সম্মান। নর্মস মূল্যবোধের উপর ভিত্তি করে গড়ে ওঠে, আর উভয়ই সমাজে শৃঙ্খলা বজায় রাখে।

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🔹 10 MCQs on Norms and Values

Q1. Norms are:
(a) Inherited biological traits
(b) Rules of behavior expected in society
(c) Individual habits only
(d) Always legal codes
✅ Answer: (b)

Q2. Which of the following is a value?
(a) Driving on the left side of the road
(b) Honesty
(c) Wearing a school uniform
(d) Greeting with a handshake
✅ Answer: (b)

Q3. “Thou shalt not kill” is an example of:
(a) Folkway
(b) Law / More
(c) Custom only
(d) Value only
✅ Answer: (b)

Q4. Folkways are:
(a) Strongly enforced laws
(b) Everyday casual norms
(c) Universal values
(d) Absolute truths
✅ Answer: (b)

Q5. Which one is a core value in democratic societies?
(a) Inequality
(b) Freedom and equality
(c) Exploitation
(d) Corruption
✅ Answer: (b)

Q6. Norms gain legitimacy because they are based on:
(a) Laws only
(b) Cultural values
(c) Biological instinct
(d) Economic profit
✅ Answer: (b)

Q7. Breaking a norm leads to:
(a) Social deviance and sanctions
(b) Genetic changes
(c) Permanent exclusion
(d) No consequence
✅ Answer: (a)

Q8. Which of the following is a formal norm?
(a) Shaking hands
(b) Marriage law
(c) Eating habits
(d) Greeting elders
✅ Answer: (b)

Q9. Which statement is true?
(a) Values are specific rules, norms are general ideas
(b) Values are general ideals, norms are specific rules
(c) Values and norms mean the same
(d) Both exist without society
✅ Answer: (b)

Q10. The relationship between norms and values is:
(a) Independent
(b) Norms arise from values
(c) Values arise from norms
(d) No connection
✅ Answer: (b)