Social Norm - Analysis of Social Norms and Conformity

Running head: SOCIAL NORM 1
Social Norm
Name
Institution

SOCIAL NORM 2
Abstract
This paper is an analysis of social norms and conformity of people to a particular society. A
social norm can be understood as informal agreements or understandings that govern the way
members of a particular society behave. Conformity, however, is the efforts a person or a group
makes to fit in the place of another. It often involves a change in the way people perceive certain
ideas or believe or the way people behave. Conformity is a good thing because it rewards the
conformer with security. Social norms differ depending on the different situations and the
perceptions of different groups of people. There are norms which are good, others are fair while
others are outfaced and do not add any good to the society. However, visualizing a society that
has no social norms at all is such a dark tunnel. No one has ever been in such a society to
comprehend how exactly it can be, except when it is viewed from a philosophical perspective.
Norms can make people conform depending majorly on the normative influence and
informational influence. These two factors define why most people find it easy to conform.
However, still, there is no universality as far conformity is concerned. People perceive what is
good or bad in quite different ways.

SOCIAL NORM 3
Social Norm
Introduction
A social norm can be understood as informal agreements or understandings that govern
the way members of a particular society behave. Social psychology places units like workers
within an office or a special social gathering which may support norms distinctly or such norms
may be in conformity with the social as well as cultural expectations. By extension, this means
that norms are attributed to the acceptable collective conduct of groups, or sometimes it can be
the perception of an individual regarding a particular person, society or any other group
(Ullmann-Margalit, 2015). On the other hand, conformity is the efforts a person or a group
makes to fit in the place of another. It often involves a change in the way people perceive certain
ideas or believe or the way people behave.
Conformity and Social Norms
Conformity is a good thing. There are numerous cases which can prove that to conform
is good for an individual or a group (Klucharev, Hytönen, Rijpkema, Smidts, & Fernández,
2009). For instance, consider the fact that today’s world comprises of many aspects of political,
social and economic factors that keep the society running, then without conforming no one can
easily progress. Conformity rewards the conformer with security. In a case where a person
travels to another country, the person may have to live the way the people in that country live so
that he can continue to enjoy the benefits of security (Philippe & Durand, 2011). The laws in
different places in the world compel people to conform to the ideals of the land. Going against
the law, or non-conformance leads to dire consequences (Posner, 2009).