The Meaning and Function of Social Values

The Meaning and Functions of
Social Values | Sociology

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This article provides information about the meaning and

functions of social values!
Meaning of Values:
In sociology, the meaning of value is different from meaning of value
in economics or philosophy. For example, in economics values means
price.
Social values form an important part of the culture of the society.

Values account for the stability of social order. They provide the
general guidelines for social conduct. Values such as fundamental
rights, patriotism, respect for human dignity, rationality, sacrifice,
individuality, equality, democracy etc. guide our behavior in many
ways. Values are the criteria people use in assessing their daily lives;
arrange their priorities and choosing between alternative course of
action.
G.R. Leslie, R.F. Larson, H.L. Gorman say, “Values are group
conceptions of the relative desirability of things”.
According to H.M. Johnson, “Values are general standards and may be
regarded as higher order norms”.
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Young and Mack write, “Values are assumption, largely unconscious,

of what is right and important”.
Michael Haralambos says “A value is a belief that something is good

and worthwhile. It defines what is worth having and worth striving”.
According to Peter Worsley, “Values are general conceptions of “the

good”, ideas about the kind of ends that people should pursue
throughout their lives and throughout the many different activities in
which they engage”.
In simple words, values may be defined as measure of goodness or

desirability.
Values are standards of social behaviour derived from social

interaction and accepted as constituent facts of social structure. They
are objects that social conditions desire. These are culturally defined
goals and involve “sentiments and significance.” These consist of
“aspirational reference.”
Values are expected to be followed for judging and evaluating social

interaction, goals, means, ideas, feelings and the expected conduct.
Without such evaluating standard, it would be difficult to judge
individual behaviour or social action. Values aim to integrate expected
individual behaviour and social action. It tends to forestall tension and
as such have tension management role.
Relation between Norms and Values:

Norms and values have salient relation. Norms are specific, values are
not. There may be, in a particular situation, delusion of norms, but
values are commanding. Norms are rules for behaving: they say more
or less specifically what should or should not be done by particular
types of actors in given circumstances. Values are standard of
desirability that are more nearly independent of specific situations.
The same value may be a point of reference for a great many specific
norms; a particular norm may represent the simultaneous application
of several separable values. Thus, the value premise “equality” may
enter into norms for relationships between husband and wife, brother
and brother, teacher and student and so on.
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On the other hand, the norm “a teacher must not show favouritism in
grading” may in particular instance involve the value of equality,
honesty, humanitarianism and several others. Values, as standards
(criteria) for establishing what should be regarded as desirable,
provide the grounds for accepting or rejecting particular norm.
Functions of Values:
1. Values provide goals or ends for the members to aim for.
2. Values provide for stabilities and uniformities in group interaction.
They hold the society together because they are shared in common.
Some sociologists argue that shared values form the basis for social
unity. Since they share the same values with others, the members of
society are likely to see others as “people like themselves”. They will
therefore, have a sense of belonging to a social group. They will feel a
part of the wider society.
3. Values bring legitimacy to the rules that govern specific activities.

The rule are accepted as rules and followed mainly because they
embody the values that most people accept. The Americans for
example, believe that the capitalist organization is the best one
because it allows people to seek success in life.
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4. Values help to bring about some kind of adjustment between

different sets of rules. The people seek the same kinds of ends or goals
in different field of their life. Hence, it is possible for them to modify
the rules to help the pursuit of this end.
For example, if the Indian people cherish the value of “the principle of
equality”, then they will have to modify the rules governing the
interpersonal relationship of husband and wife; and man and woman.
As and when new activities emerge, people create rules in the light of
their beliefs about what is ‘good’ and ‘right’.

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The Meaning and Functions of

Social Values | Sociology

This article provides information about the meaning and

Social values form an important part of the culture of the society.

Young and Mack write, “Values are assumption, largely unconscious,

Michael Haralambos says “A value is a belief that something is good

According to Peter Worsley, “Values are general conceptions of “the

In simple words, values may be defined as measure of goodness or

Values are standards of social behaviour derived from social

Values are expected to be followed for judging and evaluating social

Relation between Norms and Values:

3. Values bring legitimacy to the rules that govern specific activities.

4. Values help to bring about some kind of adjustment between

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