A social norm is a way of social regulation of behavior and relationships between people and social groups. Social norms exist in several important varieties, which are binding. They have a strictly predetermined shape.
Instructions
Step 1
A social norm is a culturally defined, desirable mode of behavior. It is based on ideas about good and bad deeds, about good, evil and their consequences - these ideas are enshrined in moral and ethical norms. The norms of morality, ethics (and partly aesthetic norms) are included in the complex of the so-called "ideological norms". The mode of behavior will only be normative when it is executed “automatically”. The social automatisms underlying normative behavior are called social rituals in the language of sociology - rigidly fixed sequences of obligatory actions. Such rituals include, for example, an acquaintance or the ritual of turning a student to a teacher. The whole set of social automatisms is called the norms of custom; among them are specific ethnic norms.
Step 2
Among social norms, a special group is distinguished - clearly and unambiguously defined. These are the religious norms set in the texts of sacred books or otherwise sanctioned by the church. These are the corporate norms (norms of organizations) operating within them. Finally, these are the legal rules. Norms of law are generally binding, explicitly established by the state in legislation and having coercive force, i.e. punishment is provided for in the name of the state for their violation.
Step 3
Any social norm is supported through the encouragement of behavior that meets the norms (conformal) and through the prevention and punishment of inappropriate (deviant, deviant). The problem of deviant and conformal behavior is an important problem that psychologists, culturologists, sociologists and criminologists are investigating. It is important because, first of all, a change in the ratio of conformity and deviance indicates a change in ideas in society about acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and, consequently, about a change in social norms.
