The Decline in Shared Collective Conscience as Found in the Shifting Norms and Values of Etiquette Manuals

Bibliographic Data

ID8975003
AuthorsSeth Abrutyn (0000-0001-6220-3362, Department of Sociology, Clement Hall 231 The University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152‐0001, corresponding author), Michael J Carter (0000-0002-8639-4930, Department of Sociology, 321 Santa Susana Hall California State University, Northridge Northridge CA 91330‐8318, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume45
Issue3
Pages352-376
Publication date2014-09-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Theory of Social Behaviour (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-8308 • E-ISSN: 1468-5914
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jtsb.12071
OpenAlexW2158032653
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited41

In this article we address E mile D urkheim's theory that norms and values become more generalized and abstract in a society as it becomes more complex and differentiated. To test D urkheim's theory we examine etiquette manuals—the common texts that define normative manners and morals in American society. We perform a deductive content analysis on past and present etiquette manuals to understand what changes have occurred regarding shifting behavioral norms and values over time. Our findings suggest that a change has occurred in the presentation and language of contemporary etiquette manuals, reflecting a greater change in the normative order. We find—as D urkheim would expect—that three main shifts have occurred: a shift from specific to general expectations for behavior in social settings, a shift from demanding to more suggestive rules of behavior in social situations, and a weakening in the severity of sanctions for breaches of etiquette

Assertion · Conscience · Epistemology · Etiquette · Linguistics · Normative · Order (exchange · Political science · Presentation (obstetrics · Sanctions · Sociology · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Emile Durkheim and Sociology · Law · Philosophy · Psychology · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Social Psychology

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