Is individual behavior truly a formation and development of individual concepts or is it simply a conglomeration of normative behavior expectations? It is a question wrought with complex variables. Many scientists, both social and physical would agree that behavior is developed by environmental expression as well as genetic factors. Unfortunately, this is the junction where their union begins to disjoint. Some argue that socially expected behavior drives the behavior of an individual, while others may hold that individual expression is just that, unique and characterized by self-introspection. However, others take hold of the viewpoint that behavior is developed through both individual expression as well as culturally learned normative behavior.Normative behavior has been more than apparent in development of behavior patterns among virtually all individuals. According to social scientists, virtually all behavior stems from normative behavior. However, this would in turn mean that we, as individuals make no choices. Are we truly confined to the hive mind? Are we, only one sheep, in a flock of million. Sheep without any apparent say in our course, forever doomed to follow the societal wills that is our shepherd? It is obvious that society guides the course of the people within it. Society controls the people through its mores and folkways. It keeps its members in line with threats of humiliation or retaliation.Societies “mores” are the most important code of conduct. These mores are the laws on which the societies are based, with violation of these codes resulting in very harsh punishments. Societies “folkways” are less stringent codes of conduct. Violation of these folkways often results in exclusion or general feeling of social disapproval. This common way of feeling and acting helps delineate right and wrong. Although both have significantly different levels of importance within a society, any violation usuall...
