Social Norms

Definition

Social norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that guide and constrain people's behavior within a particular social group or culture. They represent the commonly accepted and appropriate ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving in a given social context.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Social norms serve as a guide for appropriate behavior and help maintain social order and cohesion within a group or society.
2. Violation of social norms can lead to social sanctions, such as disapproval, exclusion, or even punishment, as a way to enforce conformity.
3. The process of socialization, where individuals learn and internalize the social norms of their culture, plays a crucial role in the development and perpetuation of social norms.
4. Social norms can vary across different cultures, subcultures, and contexts, and individuals may need to navigate and adapt to different sets of norms in different social settings.
5. The concept of social norms is central to understanding various social psychological phenomena, such as conformity, self-presentation, and obedience to authority.

Review Questions

• Explain how social norms are related to the concept of self-presentation.
  • Social norms are closely linked to self-presentation, as individuals often strive to present themselves in ways that align with the expected and acceptable behaviors within a given social context. By conforming to social norms, people can gain social approval, avoid social sanctions, and maintain a positive self-image in the eyes of others. The desire to adhere to social norms can influence how individuals choose to express themselves, manage their impressions, and regulate their behavior in social situations.
• Describe the role of social norms in the phenomenon of conformity.
  • Social norms play a central role in the psychological process of conformity, where individuals adjust their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to align with the predominant norms of a group. Conformity can occur due to the desire to be accepted, the fear of social sanctions, or the belief that the group's norms are correct. Descriptive norms, which represent the perceived typical behaviors within a group, can exert a powerful influence on individuals, leading them to conform to the group's expected behaviors, even if those behaviors are not necessarily the most rational or ethical.
• Analyze how social norms can contribute to obedience to authority, as discussed in the context of social psychology.
  • Social norms can contribute to the phenomenon of obedience to authority, as individuals may feel compelled to comply with the directives of those in positions of power or authority, even if those directives conflict with their personal beliefs or ethical principles. The desire to conform to the perceived norms and expectations of a social hierarchy, combined with the fear of social sanctions or punishment, can lead people to override their own moral judgments and engage in behaviors that they would not normally consider acceptable. This dynamic highlights the powerful influence that social norms can have on human behavior, and the importance of critically examining the ethical implications of obedience to authority in various social contexts.

Related terms

Conformity: The act of aligning one's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors with the predominant social norms or expectations of a group.

Social Influence: The process by which individuals or groups affect the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of others through various mechanisms, such as compliance, identification, and internalization.

Descriptive Norms: The perceived typical or common behaviors within a social group, which can influence individuals to conform to those behaviors.