Download or read book What Are Norms? written by Francesca M. Cancian and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1975-04-25 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.