The Timeless Power of Social Norms

How do you define ‘social norms’?

Social norms are our understanding of what is expected of us and what is appropriate in particular situations. Some people describe them as informal ‘rules of behaviour’. We learn these over time as we encounter other people and observe how they behave and hence what is expected of us. For example, in different cultures there are different expectations around tipping behaviour. In some places you tip the server a certain percentage, while in others you might just tip a few cents. Another example is norms around how we interact with strangers in different places around the world — such as whether we look them in the eye and smile at them on the street.

Norms are enforced by our peers’ interactions with us. When we follow norms, we get social approval; we get to fit in, and we feel comfortable. When we violate norms, we may be penalized socially. As social