Final answer:
Cultural values and beliefs are principles and convictions held within a society, guiding behaviors and establishing a common identity. Values like democracy and individualism or beliefs in the American Dream illustrate these social constructs. These cultural elements significantly influence the norms, social control, and individual identity within different societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural values and beliefs are essential components of society that guide behaviors and provide a collective identity. Examples of cultural values include honesty, freedom, and respect for others, while beliefs may encompass convictions like the American Dream or the importance of family. Norms and symbols, language, and practices all stem from these foundational ideas, creating a coherent culture.
Cultural values are deeply held principles like equality or liberty, while beliefs are convictions such as the value of individual effort leading to success.
Values are a culture's guidelines for judging what is good and desirable in a society. They are ingrained within the fabric of the social framework, shaping how societal beliefs are formed and maintained. For instance, in the United States, democratic values influence the belief in the right to freedom of speech. Social control arises from these values, enforcing the conformance to cultural norms through various sanctions. Beliefs, on the other hand, are the specific ideas people in a culture hold to be true, such as the belief in the feasibility of the American Dream, underpinned by the value placed on wealth and success.