SOCIAL NORMS: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES AND EXAMPLES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Social norms are a set of regulations that must be met by people to maintain a healthy relationship within different human groups. Examples of this type of rule are not to throw garbage on the street, greet neighbors cordially, address others with respect, comply with traffic laws, among others.

Social norms can also be defined as behavioral regulations that allow human beings to live harmoniously in a given space. Without them, social relations would be more violent and it would be more complex to build a stable society.

Helping the elderly is a social norm

These regulations may change according to the culture and traditions of each society, country or region. However, there are certain rules that maintain a universal character and are shared by various cultures, such as the need to be kind to others.

Likewise, these norms are characterized because they arise from collective interaction; In other words, they are not an internal and individual state of people, but rather originate from the relationships established between individuals.

For this reason, it is affirmed that social regulations are a consequence of group life; they are parameters that seek to achieve collective well-being and peaceful coexistence.

Characteristics of social norms

Social norms can be defined as regulations of conduct that allow human beings to coexist in a harmonious way. Source: pixabay.com

The most important characteristics of social norms are the following:

- They are conditioned by space and time

Social norms are conditioned by a specific space and time, which implies that they may vary depending on the customs of each region.

Likewise, they may be subject to change according to the needs of each era. For example, previously women were not allowed to wear pants; at present, this standard is obsolete.

- They depend on a context

Social norms can vary according to the circumstances or the context in which a group of individuals is found.

For example, work circumstances are not the same as family circumstances; therefore, the norms will vary according to the social situation in which a person finds himself.

In other words, we do not apply the same rules and attitudes to all areas of human coexistence; a person does not act in the same way with her boss as with her family. For this reason it is affirmed that social norms depend on the context.

- They imply a penalty for non-compliance

Although many social norms are not implemented by legal entities, there is still a sanction when not complying with them.

For example, in some Latin American countries it is not legally penalized to hit an animal, however, the people of a community may perceive it as something negative and punish whoever is committing the act.

Types of social norms

Being punctual is a social norm

Below is a classification of social norms:

- Of a social nature

These norms are elaborated by each society and are generally based on the traditions and customs of the community.

The norms of social treatment are very important for human beings, since their non-compliance generates rejection from other people, which would affect collective and individual harmony.

- Of moral character

Moral norms weigh heavily on people's consciences and tend to guide the conduct of individuals so that they act in accordance with ethics.

It is important to add that ethics implies compliance with a set of values ​​that constitute the way of being of an exemplary citizen. For example: punctuality, responsibility, among others.

- Of a religious nature

Religious norms are conditioned by the spiritual beliefs of each individual. In general, communities tend to share the same religious notions; however, if they belong to different beliefs, they can still coexist through tolerance.

- Of a legal nature

Some social norms have legal backing. When this is the case, regulations are created by the authorities and are intended to regulate people's behavior.

In case of non-compliance, legal entities can take legal action and penalize whoever is disrespecting the rules.

- Group character

Group norms are determined by each group and may vary according to the people who make them up. For example, group norms are those that are established in a work team or in a classroom.

Social norms can be group norms, such as those applied in work environments. Source: pixabay.com

Examples of social norms

There are many examples of social norms, however, here are some of the most common:

- Greet in a cordial and respectful way the people who are present when arriving at a certain place.

- Listen to others when they are speaking, avoiding interrupting them. In case of accidental interruption, apologies should be made.

- Address others with respect, avoiding obscene or profanity (that is, rude or vulgar) words.

- Maintain proper hygiene and clothing according to the circumstances. For example, it is often necessary for people to dress formally to work in an office (although this can vary depending on the parameters of each company).

- In public spaces (such as the subway, restaurants or buses) an appropriate tone of voice must be maintained, avoiding shouts and noises that are annoying to others. This is not necessary if you are meeting with trusted people, such as family or friends.

- Avoid noises in the residences at night, since noises (such as loud music or hammering) can interrupt the rest schedule of other people.

- Opinions that are different from your own must be respected. In this case, a space for debate or discussion can be opened as long as respect and tolerance between the parties is maintained.

- Give the seat to people who require it in public spaces (banks, transport, parks, among others). Generally, the seat is given to disabled people, pregnant women and adults of legal age.

- Do not dirty public spaces (such as squares, streets, buildings). Waste should be thrown in bins or recycling bins.

- Respect the time and schedule of others. This is achieved by exercising punctuality and organization.

Themes of interest

Legal norms.

Moral standards.

Religious rules.

Conventional standards.

Rules of school coexistence.

References

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7. SA (sf) Social standard. Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org
8. Tena, J. (2011) What is a social norm? Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from the International Journal of Sociology (RIS).