Each individual who is surrounded by other people, when communicating or performing any type of activity, observes a set of informal rules. Only with their implementation is it possible to maintain order and harmony in society, and this means that the group norm becomes the key to its normal development.
What are group norms?
Paying attention to different cultures and nations, it is impossible not to notice how different their traditions, manner of communication and rules of behavior are. What is customary for some may cause misunderstanding or condemnation in another country. So, for example, wearing a kilt in Scotland is habitual and does not attract attention, but it is unlikely that a man wearing a skirt in Russia will be able to quietly walk along the street.
The same pattern can be traced within one country. As an example, we can consider various youth subcultures, which are relatively small groups with unusual values for those around them.
Thus, it should be emphasized that group norms are a set of rules that is drawn up by the team in order to regulate relationships and behavior. Most of them are informal, which does not interfere with their observance.
The group norm must be adopted by the majority, it is also aimed at achieving the goals. The formation of each norm depends on the characteristics of the group: the size, uniformity and personality characteristics of each of its members.
Adoption of the norm
One cannot but note the subjectivity of the standards, which cannot guarantee their adoption by all representatives of the group.
Those people who do not want to obey the rules and do not live up to the expectation of a group can be punished by others. Most often, adolescents demonstrate their refusal to comply with them, which is justified by a turning point in their development. There are two types of sanctions to encourage group members to be guided by standards:
- Positive - are manifested in the form of rewards for observing the code. This can be praise, attention, respect for others, raising status and prestige.
- Negative - apply in violation of the rules of society. With them, prohibitions or restrictions of various kinds are established, which lead to charity or ignoring the offender.
As a result, a person tries to control individual behavior as much as possible, adjusting it to the parameters. The maximum penalty for non-compliance may be expulsion from the group.
The role of values in adopting group norms
Group values are formed on the basis of generally accepted and vary depending on the interests of a particular collective of people. They are the basis for the formation of historically established norms in a group and determine the strategy for the further advancement of society, while the developed rules indicate the boundaries of what is permitted and desired on this path.
As a result, group norms and values influence the same indicators of large social groups that regulate the development of society as a whole.
What are group norms for?
Each group norm passes through the test of time and does not change under the influence of a new situation. Those patterns of behavior that are fixed bring the following privileges to the community.
- Strengthen the team, ensure its unity and unity of effort.
- Reduce the number of interpersonal conflicts and discomfort caused by a lack of understanding of others.
- They increase the predictability of the actions of group members and facilitate the prediction of group behavior.
- Increases the protective abilities of communities and their survival.
It was also important that, thanks to a clear formation, the group norm allows the individual to independently evaluate his own and others' actions, compare them and draw conclusions about the correct behavior.