Status groups originate and preserve the conventions that become social norms

Evidence

Max Weber concluded, “Status groups are specifically responsible for all ‘conventions’: all ‘stylisation’ of ways of life, however expressed, either originates with a status group or is preserved by one.” As everyone follows these rules to some degree, they manifest as observable behavioral patterns associated with those groups. If high society all wears tuxedos, we know the tuxedo as a “fancy,” high-society form of dress. And within status groups, the fact that individuals regulate their behavior to conform to conventions turns those conventions into social norms. — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 129

Categorization

• DEFINE: Weber’s dictum precisely defines the relationship between status groups, conventions, and norms—a foundational conceptual claim.
• XREF: connects to: Everyday conventions carry status value that yields social rewards or penalties — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 153; Absences of conventions themselves act as status signals — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 203; Status groups share beliefs that both cohere members and divide outsiders — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 95 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Status-driven group choice precedes adoption of that group’s behavioral conventions #expands (0.85) — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 133
• Closure in social relations is necessary for effective norms to emerge #corroborates (0.80) — Coleman, SocialCapitalCreation-1988, 114
• Social norms persist because group members have interests in sanctioning violators #qualifies (0.78) — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 270
• Status hierarchies can emerge purely from individuals’ belonging, distinctiveness, and esteem needs #complicates (0.72) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 855
• Groups can gain status by persuading society to value their own criteria #complicates (0.72) — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 304