PSYC14H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Behavioral Script, Nepotism, Pokot People
Document Summary
Manners differ across cultures because people are socialized to different sets of norms and customs. Manners have changed over time: norbert elias argues in his work the civilizing process that western europe was transformed as the manners of the aristocracy slowly trickled down to govern the behavior of the lower classes as well. People became civilized as a growing set of rules and norms came to regulate the behaviors of people across all classes of society. One reason manners have changed over time is that people"s views of what is healthy have also changed. For example, in the 16th century it was seen as unhealthy to refrain from either spitting or from passing wind. These behaviors have become less tolerated as it is no longer considered healthy to engage in them. Some differences in manners of the past simply reflect changing norms that are quite arbitrary as to what is considered polite.
