Social Norms

Social Norms

• Norms that regulate casual, everyday interactions (i.e. shaking someone's hand when you meet them)
• Violation of a folkway will not result in severe punishment (i.e. you might get a glare if you don't shake someone's hand)

• Norms that regulate morality and ethics; right vs. wrong (i.e. being honest with your friends and peers)
• Violation of a more can result in shame, disapproval, or exclusion (i.e. your friends discover you are a habitual liar and stop inviting you to hang out)

• Norms that regulate the most sacred societal values and discourage repugnant behaviour (i.e. cannibalism)
• Violation of a taboo will result in extreme societal disgust and expulsion; potential imprisonment as well

• Norms that are formally recorded within a society's legal system and enforced by the government (i.e. speeding, theft, murder)
• Violation will result in a formal sanction, often a fine or prison sentence
• Note: laws can also be mores or taboos (i.e. murder violates both the law and a more)

• Example: a police officer can detain or even assault someone (baton, taser) as part of their job, but a person who is not in that social role would be violating several social norms by behaving in a similar manner