Norms

Definition

Norms are established standards of behavior maintained by a society. They are the unwritten rules that guide individuals' actions in various social situations.

Related terms

Culture: The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings, transmitted from one generation to another.

Values: Core beliefs or desires that guide or motivate attitudes and actions.

Socialization: The process through which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of their culture, thus developing their sense of self and societal roles