We all live in a society, a society that breaks up into separate collectives, groups. The difference between a reasonable person is that he lives according to certain rules, norms. But why do we need this? What are group norms? For what purpose are they created? This will be discussed later.
Goals
The first thing to understand when trying to understand group norms is group goals. Depending on the particular team, there may be several. But the main goal of the group is conservation, conservation. That is, the team must do everything possible to maintain its existence as long as possible. To make this possible, it is necessary to develop rules, regulations, a model of action. All these are group (social) norms.
They will be discussed later.
Types of norms
The norm is translated from Latin as a “model of action”. That is, a certain rule of behavior. Therefore, the question of what group norms are, we can briefly answer that these are the rules by which a certain collective, society lives. They are divided into:
- social;
- mental.
What are mental norms?
About social norms more or less, intuitively. Social group norms - rules of behavior that are developed by the group. They are usually fixed somewhere. Bible, code, charter, instruction. Although this is optional. For example, moral standards are not reflected anywhere and are transmitted in the course of the socialization of the individual (upbringing, education, etc.).
Mental norms are the requirements that society places on the individual. To make it more clear what group norms (mental) are, we list them.
Examples
A group (society) may present the following personality requirements:
- A commensurate correspondence of the nature of reactions to external stimuli and the significance of life events. Imagine a person starting to cry in fear at the sight of an approaching train.
- Ability to quickly adapt to new teams. Some children, when changing the collective, become isolated in themselves. They do not talk with anyone, do not make friends, etc. This indicates abnormalities in mental development.
- Ability to self-management, planning of life goals and objectives. Otherwise, the person is “thrown out” beyond the brink of society, he becomes a homeless person or a lumpen.
- A critical approach to circumstances, a sense of responsibility for what is happening. Have you heard the phrase: “This person is irresponsible, abandoned his family, children, drinks a lot, smokes, uses drugs, etc.” This example falls into this category.
Types of Social Norms
Now more about group norms of behavior. They are also called social.
We have already said above that this is a rule, a sample in a specific group. Depending on it, the following types of social norms are distinguished:
- Traditions, customs. These are the rules of behavior that have been passed down from generation to generation and have survived to this day. Some customs pass away under the pressure of civilization and industrialization, the most viable survive all eras, undergoing minor changes. For example, celebrating weddings, birthdays, New Years, etc.
- Moral standards. They are an informal (nowhere enshrined) set of rules about "what is good." Remember the children's verse: "The baby son came to his father, and asked the baby ..."? Moral standards can change over time, unlike traditions. For example, in pre-Soviet and Soviet times immoral act considered a divorce. Today it is an ordinary norm.
- Legal or legal regulations.Many (but not all) immoral acts are considered offenses in society. They are enshrined in laws, that is, in officially enshrined documents that state “what cannot be done” and “what will happen for it”.
- Religious norms. Almost all are moral, some of which are also enshrined in legal documents. These norms are associated with faith (as the name implies) and are enshrined in the scriptures (Bible, Quran), treatises of Saints, etc.
- Aesthetic norms. Indicate what is beautiful and what is not in society. Over time also undergo changes. For example, the standard of beauty of a female figure. Once in our society it was considered "the fuller the girl, the more beautiful she is," today the opposite is true.
- Ethical standards. Associated with the rules of communication. What can be said and what is not. For example, it is unethical to ask a guy the age of a girl (unless, of course, this is not an interview), although in the Middle Ages this was the first question that was asked before the question about the name, etc.
- Political norms. Regulate the relationship of the individual (group) with the state (power). As a rule, almost all of them are enshrined in regulatory legal acts. But, despite this, they are singled out in separate political norms.
- Rules of etiquette. When a woman rises from the table, an English gentleman rises with her. This is a good example of etiquette.
All of the above types of norms cover the broad masses of society. But there are rules of mini-societies. These are school traditions in the classroom, rules of conduct at work, internal job descriptions, etc.
But if there are rules, then there are those who violate them. For violation of norms, laws sanctions are provided. This concept applies not only to the economy (many are now hearing the “economic sanctions” introduced against Russia). Read more about what types are provided for certain violations.
Types of Sanctions
We explained in detail about group norms what it is. What sanctions are provided for their violation? We’ll try to figure it out.
Depending on what norm the person violated, the severity of the punishment depends. But regardless of this, all of them are implied in:
- negative formal;
- negative informal.
Their difference is that some (formal) are applied according to certain rules. Informal sanctions are emotional. They are not fixed anywhere, not recorded. For example, how can a person be condemned for an immoral act according to certain rules? This happens spontaneously, on emotions.
Formal sanctions are enshrined in certain rules, laws, charters. They are applied according to certain procedures.
Examples of such sanctions would be:
- court decisions;
- fines;
- reprimands at work;
- deprivation of bonuses, etc.
But sanction is not always synonymous with “punishment.” There are also positive ones. Their goal is to reward people for exemplary rule of conduct. They are also divided into formal and informal. As an example, we list some of them:
- peer approval;
- bonus to wages;
- additional vacation;
- awards, medals, cups;
- honorary title, etc.
Social control
Group values and norms are leveled if there is no control by society. As long as a person observes the rules and norms, he does not seem to exist for the rest. Imagine hundreds of people walking past you. If no one has put on extravagant, provocative clothes, then most likely they will all go unnoticed for you. But what happens if a mother walks along the road with a child and obscene words yells at the baby? Most likely, you, like many others, will respond to this. And you have never heard such words from passers-by, which appeal to their children: "Now we will come home, I will show you!". This is just an example of public containment.
This example characterizes social control. Mom violated the rules for dealing with a child in society. The reaction of society is instant. Someone will even call the police and guardianship authorities.Perhaps the mother is already registered with them and she may be deprived of parental rights.
And what was in Ancient Sparta? Any adult and young child had the right to be hit by any adult member of the policy. And the old people who were in battles always did this. This is another example of social education.
Self control
It is important for a person to have self-control. This is the highest value of a person when he restricts himself not to violate social rules of behavior.
In one of the psychological tests there is a question: “If there is no police, will you go to the red traffic light?” Most will answer honestly: “Yes.” And that will be right. But people with a heightened sense of self-control will sincerely answer: “No.” They don’t care if other people look at them, they always follow the rules and regulations.
Deviant behavior
Their antipodes are people with deviant behavior. On the contrary, they will violate public rules whenever possible. Such people know what group norms are. But they don’t even think to follow them. These are, first of all, drug addicts, criminal elements, people suffering from alcoholism. Society is trying to help them, but if this does not work, then it isolates them from itself.
