What are “values” in sociology?
To understand a society, you have to understand its values. Values are the fundamental principles that guide people’s decisions and shape their actions. They’re those core beliefs we hold about what’s important, both to us as individuals and to the larger community we live in.
Values are the backbone of social behavior and social structures. They’re what give rise to our moral codes, influence how our society is organized, and shape what we believe and how we behave. Values can be different for different groups. For example, a value in one culture may be independence, while another may prioritize the needs of the community.
This article will define values from a sociological perspective, exploring how we classify them, what functions they serve in society, and how sociologists from different schools of thought study them.
What are Values?
In sociology, “values” refer to a culture’s standards for what’s desirable, good, and beautiful. They’re the culturally defined ideas about what we consider proper and correct.
Values act as the criteria we use to judge what’s good versus bad, right versus wrong. They’re abstract ideas about what’s worthwhile and worth pursuing.
Values are usually matters of faith and belief.
It’s important to understand that values are more abstract and universal than norms. Norms are specific to a particular culture, whereas values are more general principles.
Furthermore, values are not fixed. They vary across cultures and time periods, mirroring historical and social changes. What one culture values, another might not. Even within a culture, values can differ.
Types of values in sociology
Sociologists have come up with a few ways to categorize the values that shape our attitudes and behaviors. Here are a few of the most common:
Instrumental and terminal values
Instrumental values are the things we value as means to an end. In other words, they are qualities and behaviors that help us achieve other values. Terminal values, on the other hand, are the ends themselves. These are the ultimate goals we are trying to reach.
For example, let’s say you value happiness (a terminal value). You might also value ambition and hard work (instrumental values) because you believe that being ambitious and working hard will lead to happiness.
Here are some other examples:
- Instrumental values: honesty, responsibility, independence, kindness, creativity
- Terminal values: security, wisdom, love, equality, freedom, beauty
Personal vs. social values
Personal values are the values that are unique to each individual. They’re shaped by a person’s experiences, beliefs, and personality. Social values, on the other hand, are the values that are shared by a group or society. They’re often tied to the dominant culture and are passed down through generations.
Personal and social values can sometimes align. For example, a person might personally value honesty, and that might also be a social value in their community. But personal and social values can also conflict. For example, a person might personally value independence, but their society might value conformity.
Other value classifications
Values can also be classified based on what aspect of life they relate to:
- Moral values relate to justice, fairness, and the difference between right and wrong. Honesty, respect, and loyalty are common moral values.
- Aesthetic values relate to beauty and artistic taste.
- Economic and political values relate to how a society should be organized. Distributive justice (how resources should be shared) and freedom are examples.
- Family values emphasize the importance of the family unit.
Sociological Perspectives on Values
Sociology offers different lenses through which to examine and understand values. Here’s a look at how three major theoretical perspectives view values in society:
Functionalism
From a functionalist perspective, values are essential for a stable and orderly society. Functionalists see values as contributing to social cohesion and solidarity. Shared values promote a sense of “we-ness” and encourage people to work together for the common good.
Social and cultural values are essential for the maintenance of social stability and order.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory takes a more critical view, seeing values as tools used by dominant groups to maintain their power and perpetuate inequality. Conflict theorists argue that what are presented as “shared” values often reflect the interests of the elite and serve to justify existing social hierarchies.
Karl Marx, for example, believed that values are fabricated and imposed by the powerful to control and oppress everyone else.
Dominant values can be used to justify societal problems and changes in rules.
Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism focuses on how values are socially constructed and transmitted through interactions. This perspective emphasizes the role of communication and symbols in shaping our understanding and acceptance of values.
Values are not inherent or static; instead, each of us develops, changes, and evolves our values through everyday interactions.
According to this perspective, values are created and transmitted through social interaction.
Values and Norms: What’s the Difference?
In sociology, it’s crucial to distinguish between values and norms. Think of norms as the rules of the game. They’re specific, concrete expectations for how we should behave in a given situation. They can be explicit (“Don’t cut in line”) or implicit (waiting your turn). If you break a norm, there’s usually some kind of social consequence.
Values, on the other hand, are more abstract. Values are our deeply held beliefs about what’s important, desirable, or good. They’re the broad principles that guide our lives and shape our understanding of the world. Values are beliefs about how things should be.
So, how do these two concepts relate? Values provide the foundation for norms. Our values justify and motivate the norms we create and follow. Norms, in turn, give concrete expression to our values.
For example, most societies share the value of preserving human life. This value underlies the norm against killing. Without that underlying value, the norm wouldn’t have the same weight or justification.
Examples of values in society
Values influence social behavior in so many ways. Here are a few examples of values and how they play out in different societies:
- Honesty. If people are honest with one another, they’re more likely to trust one another, which increases cooperation within the group.
- Justice. When a society is just, people tend to feel safe and secure, knowing they’ll be treated fairly. This feeling of security is important for social harmony.
- Respect. Building on the feeling of justice, respect is crucial. Research has shown that the way we think about respect varies from person to person.
- Equality. The idea that all people deserve equal rights and opportunities is a cornerstone of many societies.
- Freedom. In Western cultures, individuality and freedom are highly valued. You can see this in the emphasis on personal choice and self-expression. In many Western societies, personal freedom and independence are highly valued.
Of course, not all societies prioritize the same values. Eastern societies, for example, may place a higher value on collectivism and harmony, where the needs of the group are considered more important than individual desires.
Closing Thoughts
In sociology, values are the culturally defined standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful, and they serve as broad guidelines for social living. They inform our behavior and ultimately shape our social structures.
Understanding values is critical for analyzing social phenomena, addressing societal challenges, and fostering empathy. Because values are often taken for granted, they can be used to justify social problems, like inequality, or to support social change, like marriage equality. Because values are not fixed, societies can evolve over time.
For example, a society might value individualism or collectivism. These values, in turn, will influence everything from economic systems to child-rearing practices. By studying these values, we can better understand why societies function the way they do and how they might change in the future.
Studying values remains essential for sociologists seeking to understand and interpret the complexities of human societies.