Explanation
Norms refer to the informal and formal rules that define acceptable and expected behavior in a society. They function as social guidelines that help maintain order, predictability, and cooperation among members of a community. Norms can be prescriptive (encouraging certain behaviors) or proscriptive (prohibiting certain behaviors).
They are learned through socialization and enforced through mechanisms like approval, disapproval, sanctions, or rewards. Norms vary across cultures and contexts and can change over time. Examples include table manners, dress codes, legal rules, and professional standards. Sociologists analyze norms to understand social cohesion, control, and change.