Choosing Models of Society and Social Norms: Improving Choices and Quality of Life

by Adolfo Critto

Overview

Choosing Models of Society and Social Norms offers an innovative approach to social norms and decision-making that encourages the identification of social norms, along with their causes and consequences. Adolfo Critto points out that social norms condition behavior, but are also conditioned by human decisions. He notes that social norms generally only provide partial and temporary solutions to human needs and problems, so must be critically analyzed in order to understand their relationship to decision making. Critto approaches this relationship through "sacred" (focused on transcendent ends) and "expedient" (focused on efficient means) value orientations, warning that a one-sided focus on either of these orientations leads to inconsistency. He stresses the importance of language, communication, and education, showing how they relate to social norms. Through his analysis, the author provides an understanding of the creation of social norms, what influences them, and the evaluation of those that already exist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761814542
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	07/22/1999
Edition description:	ANN
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.73(d)

About the Author

Adolfo Critto is President of the Foundation for the Quality of Decision and Life, and is a former Professor of Social Research Methods, Social Development Policy, and Social Psychology at National University of Córdoba in Argentina. He is also the author of Overcoming Modern Confusion (University Press of America, 1999).

Table of Contents

chapter 1 Introduction chapter 2 Social Norms and Consistency chapter 3 Guide to Change and Decision-Making Quality chapter 4 Culture, Social Norms, Values and Change chapter 5 Employing Existing Values and Social Norms to Produce Desirable Change chapter 6 Sacred-expedient: Dominant Value Orientations in United States and Argentina chapter 7 Argentine Evolution Along the Sacred Expedient Axis chapter 8 Notes chapter 9 Appendix