Norms

norms : standards of proper or acceptable behavior

the norm : an average level of development or achievement
the norm : something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual or
expected
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Full Definition of NORM

1
: an authoritative standard : model
2
: a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or
regulate proper and acceptable behavior
3
: average: as
a : a set standard of development or achievement usually derived from the average or median
achievement of a large group
b : a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group
c : a widespread or usual practice, procedure, or custom <standing ovations became the norm>
4
a : a real-valued nonnegative function defined on a vector space with value analogous to length and
satisfying the conditions that the function is zero if and only if the vector is zero, the function of the
product of a scalar and a vector is equal to the product of the absolute value of the scalar and the
function of the vector, and the function of the sum of two vectors is less than or equal to the sum of
the functions of the two vectors; specifically : the square root of the sum of the squares of the
absolute values of the elements of a matrix or of the components of a vector
b : the greatest distance between two successive points of a set of points that partition an interval
into smaller intervals
See norm defined for English-language learners
See norm defined for kids

Examples of NORM
1.

She scored well above the norm in math.

2.

Smaller families have become the norm.

3.

Women used to stay at home to take care of the children, but that's no longer the norm.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/norm

TaboosMythsCustoms-

Norms are the specific cultural expectations for how to behave in a given situation.
They are the agreed-upon expectations and rules by which the members of a culture
behave. Norms vary from culture to culture, so some things that are considered
norms in one culture may not be in another culture. For example, in America it is a
norm to maintain direct eye contact when talking with others and it is often
considered rude if you do not look at the person you are speaking with. In Asian, on
the other hand, averting your eyes when conversing with others is a sign of
politeness and respect while direct eye contact is considered rude.
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Sociology

Norms

Culture

Study of Sociology

Research Definition
There are four basic types of norms that sociologists commonly refer to: folkways,
mores, taboos, and laws.

Folkways
Folkways are often referred to as "customs." They are standards of behavior that are
socially approved but not morally significant. They are norms for everyday behavior
that people follow for the sake of tradition or convenience. Breaking a folkway does
not usually have serious consequences.
Cultural forms of dress or food habits are examples of folkways. In America, if
someone belched loudly while eating at the dinner table with other people, he or she
would be breaking a folkway. It is culturally appropriate to not belch at the dinner
table, however if this folkway is broken, there are no moral or legal consequences.
Mores
Mores are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. Mores are norms
based on definitions of right and wrong. Unlike folkways, mores are morally
significant. People feel strongly about them and violating them typically results in
disapproval.
Religious doctrines are an example of mores. For instance, ff someone were to
attend church in the nude, he or she would offend most people of that culture and
would be morally shunned. Also, parents who believe in the more that only married
people should live together will disapprove of their daughter living with her boyfriend.
They may consider the daughters actions a violation of their moral guidelines.

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Taboos
A taboo is a norm that society holds so strongly that violating it results in extreme
disgust. Often times the violator of the taboo is considered unfit to live in that society.
For instance, in some Muslim cultures, eating pork is taboo because the pig is
considered unclean. At the more extreme end, incest and cannibalism are taboos in
most countries.

Laws
A law is a norm that is written down and enforced by an official law enforcement
agency. Driving while drunk, theft, murder, and trespassing are all examples of laws
in the United States. If violated, the person violating the law could get cited, owe a
fine, or go to jail.
References
Andersen, M.L. and Taylor, H.F. (2009). Sociology: The Essentials. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

http://sociology.about.com/od/Deviance/a/Folkways-Mores-Taboos-And-Laws.htm