This document discusses cultural values - where they come from, how they are shared in society, and how they may change. It notes that cultural values come from history, traditions, and are personal and individual. Values are also influenced by economic circumstances, pressure groups, and media. Examples given of changing values include attitudes toward marriage, abortion, divorce, gender roles, and use of medical technology. The document is intended to teach about the sources and nature of cultural values and how they may change within a society.

1. Where do our values come
from and how does this
affect us?

2. What are we going to learn?
• The sources, nature and the
importance of cultural values.
• How far cultural values are shared
throughout society.
• How values may change in society.

3. Starter
• Suppose you smoke.
• Your parents tell you it is bad for your
health.
• Teachers say it is bad for your health.
• Doctors say it can cause cancer.
• But you still smoke! Why?
Discuss in pairs why this student may have started smoking,
and why they still continue to.

4. • Culture
Glossary
Culture is the distinctive way of life conducted
by an entire community or society.
Including codes of conduct,
dress, language, religion.

5. Glossary
• Cultural activities
Which include art, song dance,
story telling or poetry.
What cultural activities have you been involved in
either past or present?

6. Glossary
Socialisation
Is the process by which we learn the behaviour,
values, attitudes considered appropriate
in the culture and society in which we live.
A society
A society is a grouping of individuals, which is characterised
by common interest and may have distinctive
culture and institutions.
In a society members can be from a different ethnic group.

7. Cultural values- where do they
come from?
• In your pairs again discuss where you think
cultural values come from.
• Each pair will come up with 2 points &
during the feedback the pairs must make a
list of 10 points for their notes.

8. Cultural values- where do they
come from?
• Cultural values and their sources are
very personal and individual.
• They are created from our history
and traditions.
Link with feedback
from
previous task

9. Student activity
• In groups of 3, consider the various
ways in which life in different parts
of the UK maintains its differences.
Consider the following points in your discussion
language, dialect,
wealth, impact of religion, employment and
sport.

10. Thinking point – why do values change?
• How do your values and beliefs differ
from your parents/grandparents?
Why might this be?

11. Why do values change?
Economic circumstances influence the development of values. Pressure
groups and the media can encourage change. They seek to persuade society
and government to modify existing values, often by changing the law.
Examples of changing values are ……
• acceptance of alternatives to marriage
• attitudes to abortion and divorce
• employment opportunities for married woman
• equal opportunities (race and gender)
• using medical knowledge to aid human life
•What do you think has caused this change in values?

12. Past Exam Question
• Have a look at the source handout
from the June 2011 Unit 2 paper
• It discusses the impact soaps may
have on social behaviour
• In pairs, write a plan for how you
might go about answering this
question