what are norms

Norms are shared standards of acceptable behavior by groups. They can be informal understandings that govern the behavior of members of a society, as well as be codified into rules and laws. Norms are a fundamental concept in the social sciences, and they are most commonly defined as rules or expectations that are socially enforced. Norms may be prescriptive, encouraging positive behavior, or proscriptive, discouraging negative behavior. They are important for their contribution to social order and can be internalized within the individual so that there is conformity without external rewards or punishments, or they may be enforced by positive or negative sanctions from without. Norms can be explicit and visible to the entire group, providing a framework for addressing behavior that might be distracting from the goals of the group. Norms can also be a “social contract” that supports a group’s collaborative work. In sociology, norms are seen as rules that bind an individuals actions to a specific sanction in one of two forms: a punishment or a reward.