Norms
The word norm comes from the Latin word ‘norma’, which means a carpenter’s square, a pattern, or a rule. The norma is used by the carpenter to know how to “go on”, and if he systematically follows the guidance, it results in a well-made, beautiful structure. Norms are commonly recognized as the rules of behaviour that reflect or embody a culture’s values, either prescribing a given type of behaviour or forbidding it.
Definition of Norms:
1. Broom and Selznick describe norms as, “blueprint for behaviour, setting limit within which individual may seek alternate ways to achieve their goals.”
2. According to Young and Mack, ‘norms’ refer to the “group-shared expectations.”
3. H.M. Johnson writes, “A norm is an abstract pattern held in the mind that sets certain limits for behaviour.”
4. Donald Light Jr. and Suzanne say, norms refer to “the rules that guide behaviour in everyday situations and are derived from the value.”
5. As Robert Bierstedt 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.”
Features or Characteristics of Norms
The characteristics of social norms are discussed as under:
1. Social norms are universal: These are found in all societies. Social norms are the basis of social order. No society can function smoothly without norms.
2. Related to the factual order: In every society, we find two types of order:
i. The normative order that encourages a member of the society should or ought to behave in a certain way, and
ii. The factual order that is related to and based on the actual behaviour of the people.
It is through the normative order or system that society regulates the behaviour of its members.
3. Norms incorporate value judgement: 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 situations and groups: Norms vary from society to society. Sometimes, norms vary from group to group within same society. Some norms do not govern the behaviour of all the people. Norms applicable to older people are not applicable to children. Similarly, norms applicable to policemen are different from those of teachers.
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 it at some times and disobey or ignore some others at some the times.
6. Norms vary with sanctions: These vary in the kinds of sanctions that are attached to the violation of norms and sanctions go hand in hand.
7. Normally internalized by the people: People in most of the instances accept norms and follow them or obey them. They do not question and accept them implicitly.
These characteristics collectively shape the intricate tapestry of social norms, contributing to diverse societies’ order, cohesion, and functioning.
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