Why are norms necessary to society? What are informal norms and formal norms? Provide an example of each.
Why are norms necessary to society? What are informal norms and formal norms? Provide an example of each.
Norms are rules that illustrate how one should behave within what the society recognizes as good or bad behaviour. Norms tell us how to behave in situations, what the response or reaction should have been like or what the correct course of action should be. Needless to say, norms are not meant to control us and do not take away the subjectivity that governs behaviour but it simply sheds light on what the society as a whole perceives the situation or behaviour to be and therefore, what the consequences of that action might be like.
Norms are necessary for society as they give a structure. Without a structure, humans would do anything that they wanted to and it would lead to complete chaos. Furthermore, norms lead to individuals taking accountability for their actions, given that they have to face the consequences of it. Norms are also helpful in understanding the culture of a place - whether it's individualistic or collectivist, high power distance or low power distance, perspective towards gender and so forth. Since its a guideline, knowing the norms of a place can help an individual fit in.
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