Posted by Dinah on March 25, 2009, at 9:08:11
In reply to Re: Pathological Extreme Views, posted by Garnet71 on March 25, 2009, at 8:32:46
Well, I'm guessing that is a case of group norms. Most groups have them, and most groups defend them fiercely. It's not just a question of us vs them, I don't think. Group norms could be the very cornerstone of social order.
Some groups try to do away with group norms, but in my experience they just substitute them with other group norms that may be a bit harder to see but are just as clad in iron. For example my new Sunday School class is enormously tolerant and would never ever reject anyone for their political beliefs, or any other beliefs really. Yet I'm guessing intolerance would be treated without any tolerance at all. My therapist and I laugh about this all the time. We both really value tolerance, but we sometimes find ourselves enraged by intolerance. "I can't tolerate intolerance!!!"
I don't know if group norms can or should be done away with. They serve their purpose. Once you have the freedom to choose your own groups, you'll be able to choose ones that reflect your own values.
What's really interesting is watching group norms change. Sometimes pretty rapidly. Which leads me to wonder if they were really core group norms at all. Perhaps there are two different circles involved. The core group norms are at the base, and the beliefs and values that are seen as arising from those norms circle somewhere above. If the group members quit believing that the second tier arise from the first, they can change them pretty quickly.
poster:Dinah
thread:886693
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090227/msgs/886920.html