Deutsch: Gruppennorm / Español: Norma de grupo / Português: Norma de grupo / Français: Norme de groupe / Italiano: Norma di gruppo
Group norm refers to the shared expectations, rules, or standards that guide the behaviour of members within a group. These norms help maintain order and cohesion by defining acceptable and unacceptable behaviours in various group contexts.
Description
Group norms are unwritten rules that evolve within groups to regulate the behaviour of their members. They arise from the shared goals, values, and interactions of group members and are critical in shaping group dynamics. Norms influence how individuals communicate, make decisions, and resolve conflicts, creating a sense of predictability and stability within the group.
In psychology, group norms are studied extensively in social and organisational contexts. They can be explicit, such as formal codes of conduct, or implicit, like social cues and traditions. For example, in a workplace, a group norm might involve punctuality for meetings, while in a friend group, it might be a shared understanding of humour or etiquette.
Group norms can be beneficial, fostering collaboration and unity, but they can also lead to conformity and suppression of individuality. In extreme cases, norms may perpetuate harmful behaviours, as seen in groupthink or discriminatory practices.
Application Areas
- Social Psychology: Analysing how norms shape individual behaviour and group dynamics.
- Organisational Behaviour: Establishing norms to improve teamwork and productivity.
- Education: Understanding classroom norms and their impact on student behaviour and learning.
- Therapy Groups: Exploring and setting norms to create safe, productive environments for therapy.
- Cultural Studies: Examining how norms vary across cultures and influence societal behaviours.
Well-Known Examples
- Groupthink: A phenomenon where group norms favour consensus over critical thinking, leading to poor decision-making.
- Workplace Norms: Expectations like dressing professionally or adhering to specific communication styles.
- Cultural Norms: Behaviours considered typical within a particular cultural or societal group, such as greeting customs.
- Peer Pressure: Conforming to group norms to gain acceptance, which can be either positive (e.g., studying harder) or negative (e.g., engaging in risky behaviour).
Risks and Challenges
- Conformity Pressure: Group members may feel compelled to conform to norms even if they disagree, potentially stifling creativity or ethical considerations.
- Group Polarisation: Norms within cohesive groups can intensify shared opinions, leading to extreme stances.
- Exclusion: Individuals who deviate from group norms risk ostracism or marginalisation.
- Harmful Norms: In some cases, norms may promote unhealthy or unethical behaviours, such as hazing or bullying.
Similar Terms
- Social Norms: Broad societal rules for behaviour that apply to larger populations.
- Cultural Norms: Expectations specific to cultural or ethnic groups.
- Role Expectations: Norms tied to specific roles within a group, like a leader or team member.
- Group Dynamics: The broader field studying interactions and behaviours within groups.
Summary
Group norms are the shared expectations that govern behaviour within a group, influencing interactions, decision-making, and cohesion. While they help maintain order and unity, they can also create challenges like conformity pressure or perpetuating harmful practices. Understanding group norms is crucial in fields such as social psychology, organisational behaviour, and cultural studies.
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