can be described in many ways. The descriptive definition of norms
is what people in general do. The prescriptive definition is what
people should do and the proscriptive definition is what people
should not do. Many norms are useful for individuals and groups.
They are the basis of common meanings for signs and symbols in
our society and, therefore are the foundation of communication.
They are also the basis for the coordinated behaviors we must
perform as a society - for example time, driving regulations,
and common definitions of weights and measures. As well, they
are the foundation of social ethics and the common conceptions
of what is right and wrong, and in the development of laws.
Social Norms are the expectations
about how people should act. Usually social norms are created
by having the same sort of certain behaviors among social group
members. Also, there are usually negative consequences when someone
violates a social norm.
do serve a purpose, as they allow people to expect the events
that will occur in a particular setting. This allows people to
prepare themselves for being in that situation. Uncertainty is
a big source of psychological stress. Norms allow us to reduce
the uncertainty that we might otherwise feel in a situation, or
leading up to a situation if we knew nothing about how that situation
However, norms can be self-perpetuating,
as once they are established they will often continue, even when
those who established them have long since left the situation.
For example, medical physician training procedures, and other
rites of passage.
The norm of obedience dictates
that people in positions of legitimate authority should be obeyed,
where legitimate is a pre-defined group, and some positions (or
people) are endowed with authority, and some are not. Authority
derives from the status of a particular person. Obedience is behavior
change that is produced by the commands of authority. Positions
of legitimate authority include: parents, teachers (professors),
police officers, politicians, work supervisors, etc. People have
been taught from birth to obey appropriate authority.
Appearances can affect the appearance
of legitimate authority, or create it entirely. That is, people
who look the part of the authority figure are likely to be treated
as if they are the authority figure, even if they are not. Appearances
may be created by the way the person is dressed (doctors in white
lab coats with stethoscopes, and thieves dressed like the meter
reader), by their title (Dr. So-and-so, Reverend Blah-blah), by
their office (the more impressive the office the more likely the
person has some real weight), or some other effect.
Signs are another way to create
the atmosphere of authority. For example, it has been found that
people will simply obey a sign because of its presence, even if
there is no basis or reason for it to be there.