GST123

• Norm


  A specific guide to action; norms define acceptable and appropriate behaviour in particular situations
• Norms


  • They control or influence how members of a society behave, act or relate with one another
  • They ensure the security of lives and property within their human society
• What norms are


  • Social norms are rules that dictate appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours within a particular group or society
  • Social norms are the rules on how people should act in a given group or society
  • Any behaviour that is outside these norms is considered a violation of norms
  • The norms of a society are rooted in its customs, traditions and value systems that gradually develop over time
  • Every human society has norms guiding the interactions of its members
• The norms of a society are rooted in its customs, traditions and value systems that gradually develop over time
• Types of norms


  • Folkways: learned and shared behaviours for casual and routine interactions like greetings, eating habits, dressing patterns
  • Mores: norms that differentiate between right and wrong, attract severe punishment when violated like substance abuse, over-speeding, lying, examination malpractice
• Types of norms


  • Informal norms: understood by members of a group or society even when unwritten like how children should relate with their parents, dress patterns
  • Formal norms: usually written or coded, with stated penalties for violation like laws against robbery, examination malpractices, drug abuse, cultism
• Functions of norms


  • Means of identifying a society
  • Foster unity in a group
  • Ensure social control within a society by regulating members behaviours
  • Make behaviours of members of a society predictable
• Values


  Culturally defined standards by which people assess what is desirable and good, serve as broad guidelines for social living, representations of people's preferences including things worth striving for
• Norms


  Help to direct people's behaviour towards complying with the values of a society
• Some values in Nigerian society

  • Reciprocity: interdependence on one another
  • Respect: towards those who are older within or outside one's immediate family
  • Obedience: as a family value and towards elderly people
  • Gratitude: when assistance is rendered
  • Dressing and appearance: you are usually addressed the way you are dressed
  • Child-bearing: Core within marriage; this explains the attitude of the Nigerian people towards childlessness
  • Empathy: putting yourself in the shoes of others