Norms ( Social Norms)

Meaning: Norms are group shared expectations

within a society or community.

They are considered as a mechanism of rules and

regulations. Also, they are generally known as
standards of group behavior.

Norms are socially accepted common rules and

ideals by which members of society perform their
daily activities in proper way.
 Norms ( Social Norms)
Generally, every society expects all their members of
society to follow its rules & regulations.

If the members of society do not follow the rules &

regulations, they will be boycotted from society. For
example, in Hindu society,

it is believed that married woman wears Sindur, Pote &

Chhura & scares thread should be worn by men after
initiation.

Likewise in Muslim society 'Halal meat' should be eaten &

woman must wear 'Burka.'
 Norms ( Social Norms)
Norms are group-shared expectations. Such expectations
are reflected in statements such as-

"A good citizen always respects laws."

"A gentleman pays his debts."
"Younger one must ys respect elderly people."
"A lawyer must not produce damaging evidence in the
court against his own client.",
"A scientist must be a restless searcher of truth & free
from prejudices.",
"Any occupant of any profession must follow the
professional ethics associated with it.",
"He should not have done that." Countless such norms
govern our social life in all situations.
 Norms ( Social Norms)
Young and Mack: norms refers to the “group shared
expectation”

H.M. Johnson “A norm is an abstract pattern held in the

mind that sets certain limits for behavior”

Robert Bierstadt has pointed out “A norm is a rule or

standard that governs our conduct in the social situations
in which we participate” He further writes that a norm
can be treated as “a cultural specification that guides our
conduct in society”
 Characteristics of Social Norms
1.Social Norms are universal: Social norms are the very
basis of social order. No society can function smoothly in
the absence of norms.

2. Norms are related to factual order. In every society we

find two types of order-

i. the normative order that insists how the individual

should or ought to behave,

ii. the factual order that is related to and based on the

actual behavior of the people.
 Characteristics of Social Norms
3. Norms incorporate value judgments. A norm is a standard
or behavioral expectation shared by group members which
incorporate value judgments. It is in terms of norms that we
judge whether some action is right or wrong, good or bad,
wanted or unwanted, expected or unexpected.

4. Norms are relative to situation and groups. Norms are

varying from society to society. Sometimes, within the same
society they differ from group to group. Each group in society
has its own norms. There are no social groups without norms.
Norms of behavior meant for old people are not applicable to
the children. What is alright for a man is not alright for a
woman
 Characteristics of Social Norms
5. Norms are not always obeyed by all. It is wrong to assume
that people in a society obey all the norms always. Some obey
some norm at some times and disobey or ignore some others
at some other times. Even those who normally obey and
respect norms may go against some norms in some particular
situations.

6.Norms vary with sanctions. Norms also vary in the kinds of

sanctions that are attached to the violation of norms. Norms
and sanctions go hand in hand. Norms are the group’s rules of
proper behavior; sanctions are the group’s punishment for
violation of the norms. Sanctions are the rewards or
punishment used to enforce the norms in a society.
 Characteristics of Social Norms
7. Norms are normally internalized by the people. People in
most of the instances accept norms and follow them or obey
them. They do not question most of the norms and accept
them implicitly. It is because norms become the part and
parcel of personality of the individual through the process of
socialization. In fact, socialization is often described as the
process whereby an individual internalizes the norms of the
group
 Value (Social values)
Social values are important part of the culture of the
society. Values account for the stability of social order.
They provide the general guidelines for social conduct.
Values such as fundamental rights, respect for human
dignity, rationality, sacrifice, individuality, equality,
democracy etc. guide our behavior in many ways. Values
may be defined as measure of goodness or desirability.
 Characteristics of Social Value
1. Social value is universal:- Man is social being. Every
person has to follow the social norms & values of society
in every stage of human development. Social values are
necessary for every society. Without values society
doesn't exist.

2. Social values are social standards:-social values measure

the level of society, the condition of development & the
progress of society. Those societies which have many
social values & we can say that society systematic
running. So, social values are the quality of
measurement of social standards of a society.
 Characteristics of Social Value
3. Social values are learned: - as we know that culture is
acquired behavior, likewise social values are also
acquired behavior. It is not hereditary. It is follow by
family, friends, neighborhood & senior etc. through
socialization process.

4. Social values are dynamics:- values is under the

totality of culture. We know that culture is dynamic.
Social values have changing quality. That kind of culture
which fails to fulfill human needs is changed. The values
which fail to exist in society
 Characteristics of Social Value
5. Values are social in nature:- social values are the creation
of society. If a person makes a rule it will not be social
values. But when it is accepted by the society, it becomes
social in nature. When a rule is verified by society it
becomes social values . So, social values are social in nature.

6. Social values are considered important for social welfare

& social needs:- Social values are the result of acceptance by
the members of society. Social values are not supposed only
to fulfill an individual interest. It will not accepted by the
society. It is brought forth by interaction for fulfilling
collective interests & social welfare.