Folkways

E53604

Folkways is a foundational sociological work by William Graham Sumner that analyzes the origins, functions, and social power of customs, norms, and moral codes in human societies.


Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf book
non-fiction book
sociology book
argues customs persist through group approval and disapproval
moral codes grow out of folkways
author William Graham Sumner
authorNationality American
contribution foundation for later norm-based theories in sociology
systematic classification of types of social norms
describes folkways as habitual ways of acting
mores as morally sanctioned norms
discipline anthropology
sociology
examines relationship between custom and law
relationship between custom and morality
stability and change of customs over time
variation of norms across societies
field cultural sociology
social theory
focusesOn functions of customs
origins of customs
social power of norms
genre academic monograph
hasNotableConcept ethnocentrism (as discussed by Sumner)
historicalContext early development of American sociology
influenced American sociology
the concept of mores in sociology
the study of social norms
intendedAudience scholars
students of anthropology
students of sociology
keyConcept distinction between folkways and mores
group pressure in maintaining norms
non-rational origins of customs
relativity of moral codes
language English
mainTopic customs
folkways
moral codes
mores
social control
social norms
theoreticalApproach cultural evolutionism
evolutionary sociology
usedIn history of social thought courses
introductory sociology courses

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
William Graham Sumner
William Graham Sumner
notableWork

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