Social Norms
Norms are consensual and often implicit standards
that describe what behaviors should and should not
be performed in a given context.
(Forsyth, 2014)
Feldman’s (1984) Definition
“… the informal rules that groups adopt to regulate
and regularize group members’ behavior” (p. 47)
According to Feldman, these expectations are
seldom written out or openly discussed.
Social Norms
Norms are group standards.
Provide direction and motivation
Organize social interactions
Make others’ responses predictable
Folkways are ubiquitous social standards
Mores are more strictly enforced moral rules
(Forsyth, 2014)
Social Norms: Development
1. Explicit statements by others (e.g., coworkers,
supervisors, friends)
2. Critical events in the group’s history that helped the
group survive
3. Primacy – first behaviors that emerged as group
developed
4. Carry-over expectations from past groups and situations
(Feldman, 1984)
Social Norms: Enforcement
• Overall, more likely for behaviors that increase chances
of success or decrease likelihood of failure
• If they help the group to survive (Example)
 Protect from interference
 Make boundaries clear
 “Idiosyncrasy credits” for position or past behavior
 “If group is facing failure, deviance may be punished
more sharply”
(Feldman, 1984)
Social Norms: Enforcement
• If the norm helps to simplify or make predictable what
behavior is expected so can anticipate the actions of
others
 How to split the bill after lunch/dinner
 Clarify who should do what under in a particular
context
(Feldman, 1984)
Social Norms: Enforcement
• If they help the group to avoid embarrassing
interpersonal situations
 Example – not discussing romantic issues in a professional
meeting
• If they express central group values or clarify what is
distinctive about the group’s identity
 Example – “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
(Feldman, 1984)
Social Norms: Features
(Forsyth, 2014, p. 173)
Facebook Social Norms?
• I should not say anything disrespectful about this person
on Facebook.
• I should consider how a post might negatively impact this
person’s relationships.
• If I post something that this person deletes, I should not
repost it.
• I should NOT post information on Facebook that this
person could later use against me.
(Forsyth, 2014)
(Moreland & Levine 1982 Model)
Over time
members
transition
from new
member to
full member
Resocialization
As
newcomers
learn their
roles they
become more
committed to
the group
Role transitions
Role socialization
Group Socialization
Process is
mutual:
members &
group adapt
to each other
(assimilation/
accomodation)
(Forsyth, 2014)
Group Socialization: Multiple Paths
(Forsyth, 2014, p. 182)
Member B
Member A
Member C