ABSTRACT
One of the biggest misconceptions regarding the character of common sense is the idea that common-sense knowledge is innate. Common sense is not innate. Instead, it is knowledge learned through the socialization process, personal experience, observation, and in many cases by reason. In this chapter, the specific ways in which people learn about common sense are discussed. It will be emphasized that anything described as “common sense” is really a matter of learned behavior and does not refer to innate, instinctual knowledge. The socialization process is the most critical aspect of learning about common sense. Socialization involves developmental changes brought about as a result of individuals interacting with other people. A number of significant social theories will be presented that attempt to explain how we learn, including: social learning, symbolic interactionism, subcultural, anomie/strain, differential association, labeling, and control/social bond. A number of common-sense short stories will also be provided to help illustrate adherence to notions of common sense. By adhering to common sense we are referring to examples of people who actually engage in behaviors that can be viewed as notions of common sense (at least by most people in a given society).
