Social values, Social control and
attitudes
- types and their role in agricultural
extension
Social
values
Values are relative importance or preferences we give
to any object, idea or content of experience etc.
Value is defined as anything desired or chosen by
someone.
Social values
Social values are relatively enduring (lasting or
permanent) awareness plus emotion regarding an object, idea or
person – Green 1964.
Social values are abstract and often unconscious
assumptions of what is right and important- Young – 1959.
Major values prevailing in rural society or Social
values in Indian rural society
1. Importance of ascribed (given by somebody) status: Status of individual is decided by
the group to which he belongs. There is an established order of hierarchy in family
2. Recognition of inequality: Caste is still a guiding factor. There are inequalities based on
the concept of higher and lower castes which are manifested (brought out) in many ways
3. Patriarchal tendency: Father is the head of family. Eldest male member of
family has supreme power and tends to act autocratically
4. Status of women: There is a tendency towards giving greater respect and
recognition to women,
5. Greater male dominance: Boys receive greater attention than girls. E.g. it is
general attitude of parents that daughter(s) need not be highly educated
6. Charity: There is religious significance and approval for the giving of
donations (something or money or food item given freely to poor).
7. Respect for old aged and elders: There are fixed norms which guide the
behavior of individuals towards elders, superiors and old persons
8. Religious attitude: People in rural areas are religious. Performance of rituals
and ceremonies are common in the traditional way
Types of Values
1. Ultimate values: Ultimate values are often referred as
dominant values. Express the general views of society
towards matters such as the nature of the universe.
Long-term goals or principles that guide decision-making and define
success at the highest level.
E.g. The democratic proceedings expressed in the system of
government (democracy).
2. Intermediate values: These values are derived from ultimate values and are
actually ultimate values that have been rephrased into more reasonable, attainable
categories.
These represent milestones or mid-level goals that contribute to achieving ultimate
values.
E.g. Freedom of speech, adult franchise (choice, free public education, non-
discrimination, adequate housing etc.)
3. Specific values: The subdivisions of intermediate values are called specific
values.
These are concrete, actionable steps or measurable outcomes that
directly support intermediate or ultimate values.
E.g. If public education is the intermediate value specific values can be the type of
school, room and other facilities and content of courses or instructions etc.
Attitude is a positive or negative feeling one has towards any
psychological object.
Value system: The values in terms of attitudes taken together as a set
form a system, which is called value system of society. E.g. status based up
on individual’s possession of land etc
Social control
Social control
Social control is the way in which social order coheres (joins together) and
maintains itself, how it operates as a whole as a changing equilibrium (balance)
– Maclever
Social control refers to the ways in which
society regulates individual and group behavior
to maintain social order and cohesion
Social control is classified in to two categories formal and informal
Informal means of social control
1. Belief: Belief in religion controls the behaviour to a great extent
2. Social suggestions: we suggest the younger generations many ideas like giving the
examples of great men, celebration of anniversaries of great people etc
3. Ideologies: The communication of ideologies like
Ghandhiism, communism etc by which the social behaviour of the individuals is controlled
4. Customs: Folkways, Mores, Religion
5. Art and literature: A purposeful classical dance as art and religious epics like bible,
Ramayana etc
6. Public opinion: In villages people know each other even otherwise the fear of public
criticism and the need of recognition by individuals makes to control his behaviour
Formal means of social control
1. Law: Law is a body of rules given by legally authorized bodies and
enforced by authorized agencies like police, judiciary etc.
2. Education: Education prepares the child for social living by removing
his wrong attitudes and learning discipline, honesty and what is right or
wrong.
Role of social control in society or Need of social control
1. To maintain the old order: The old members of the family enforce their ideas on the
children and they influence the behaviour of members of the family
2. To establish the social unity: The families and society are united because social
control regulates behaviour through established norms
3. To regulate or control individual behaviour: No two persons are alike and even the children of
same parents are not having same attitudes. If an individual is left free to behave in the society it
would be resembling to a jungle. Social control protects the social interests by regulating the
individuals’ behaviour.
4. To provide social sanction: Social control provides social sanction through customs,
folkways, mores etc.
5. To check cultural mal adjustment: Society is subject to change and individual tries
to adjust to the changing society during this process he or she is likely to develop some
habits which may not be right or he may become slave of passions e.g. visiting bars,
night clubs etc. Social control helps to stop this mal adjustment