social norm
Expected behavior pattern
A social norm is an unwritten rule governing behavior within a group or society—what people are expected to do, say, or avoid in particular situations.
Some norms are trivial (holding doors open), others carry serious consequences when violated (public nudity, cutting in line).
Norms vary across cultures and contexts: Business casual is the social norm here.
To violate a social norm is to behave in ways the group considers inappropriate or unacceptable.
Manner of behaving
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
civility · etiquette · protocol · comportment · practice · habit · custom · convention
Influence from one's equals
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- fitting inGaining social acceptance
- uniformityState of being identical
- complianceAdhering to requirements
obedience · acquiescence · assimilation · conventionality · orthodoxy · herd mentality · going along · bandwagon
Authoritative legal ban
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- forbiddenNot allowed
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- transgressionViolation of law or code
sacrilege · frowned upon · impropriety · censure · ostracism · scandal · disgrace · outcast
Custom passed through generations
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
culture · folklore · festival · observance · celebration · practice · legacy · ethos
Customs of polite conduct
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- greetingsExpressions upon meeting
- thank-youExpression of gratitude
please · apology · table manners · dress code · RSVP · handshake · bow · toasting
Level of quality accepted
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- dutyRequired moral task
- rolePosition or part
- appropriatenessQuality of being suitable
requirement · assumption · presumption · pressure · ideal · benchmark · criterion · accountability
conduct
Manner of behaving
courtesy · civility · etiquette · protocol · comportment · practice · habit · custom · convention · observance
peer pressure
Influence from one's equals
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- fitting inGaining social acceptance
- uniformityState of being identical
compliance · obedience · acquiescence · assimilation · conventionality · orthodoxy · herd mentality · going along · bandwagon · consensus
prohibition
Authoritative legal ban
transgression · sacrilege · frowned upon · impropriety · censure · ostracism · scandal · disgrace · outcast · shunning
tradition
Custom passed through generations
heritage · culture · folklore · festival · observance · celebration · practice · legacy · ethos · cultural practice
manners
Customs of polite conduct
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- greetingsExpressions upon meeting
thank-you · please · apology · table manners · dress code · RSVP · handshake · bow · toasting · chivalry
standard
Level of quality accepted
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- dutyRequired moral task
- rolePosition or part
appropriateness · requirement · assumption · presumption · pressure · ideal · benchmark · criterion · accountability · responsibility
- ruleslaw, rule, guideline, bylaw, standard
- social codesunwritten rule, unspoken rule, unspoken rules, etiquette, dress codes
- folklorefairy tales, fairytales, folktales, folk tales, folk tale
- beliefsbelief, beliefs, creed, creeds, faith
- conventionsconvention, conventions, delegates, conference, attendee
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
social normdeviance
Departure from accepted standards
transgression · nonconformity · taboo · antisocial behavior · rule-breaking
social normwritten law
Enacted and recorded legislation
statute · legal code · regulation · legal mandate · ordinance
social normsocial taboo
Forbidden act by custom
subculture · eccentricity · idiosyncrasy · unconventionality · alternative lifestyle
social, normal, society, norm, sociable, abnormal, antisocial, norms, normality