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Sociology vocabulary · Society and Culture

Norm

Meaning in sociology, with examples

/nɔːm/nounCore term

In sociology, norm means: A written or unwritten rule about how people are expected to behave in a particular situation, supported by approval when it is followed and by sanctions when it is broken.

In Turkish: norm, toplumsal norm, kural

How it is used

Usually plural: social norms, cultural norms, gender norms. Norms are followed, broken, violated, challenged or internalised. Formal norms are written down as laws; informal norms include table manners or how close to stand to a stranger.

Example sentences

  1. Queueing is a strong social norm in Britain.

  2. Garfinkel's students deliberately broke everyday norms to see how people would react.

Common collocations

  • social norms
  • break a norm
  • challenge norms
  • internalise norms
  • gender norms
  • valuesWidely shared beliefs about what is good, right, important or desirable in a society, which guide people's choices and the norms they follow.
  • devianceBehaviour, beliefs or characteristics that break the norms of a group or society and lead to disapproval or punishment, whether or not they are against the law.
  • social controlThe formal and informal ways a society encourages people to follow its norms and discourages deviance, from laws and the police to gossip and disapproval.
  • socialisationThe lifelong process through which people learn the norms, values, language and roles of their society and become members of it.

More terms: Society and Culture

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