Dora A. Gellen
Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge

Received July 29, 2022
Revision received August 22, 2022
Published November 8, 2022

Associate Editor: Seer Li
Reviewers: Cristina Costea & Tom Metherell
Copyeditor: Frederick Morley

Citation: Gellen, D. A. (2022, November 8). Social norms: What functions do they serve?. Cambridge Journal of Human Behaviour.

Commentary: “Addiction as care? An account of personhood and norms in social anthropology”
Madeleine Anderson, Clare College, University of Cambridge.

Social norms: What functions do they serve?

ABSTRACT: Norms convey meaningful, culturally relative information about appropriate and inappropriate conduct and act as a community’s behavioural guidelines. Norms may be positive or negative, and they have the power to create social change. Social norms have diverse functions that range from promoting law and order to establishing consensus. The primary aim of this article is to discuss the various functions of social norms and emphasise their social influence and importance in social change. Additionally, this article will identify and evaluate the key strengths and limitations of psychological research in the field of social norms. The following strengths and limitations are discussed in more detail: sample size, demand characteristics, and sample bias. The overall data suggest that social norms have several key functions: establishing consensus, inducing social harmony, a source as social heuristics, and as drivers of social change. However, it is necessary to carefully evaluate each piece of research before concluding the significance of psychological findings.
KEYWORDS: social norms, function, behaviour, conformity, change


INTERDISCIPLINARY COMMENTARY

Addiction as care? An account of personhood and norms in social anthropology

Madeleine Anderson
Clare College, University of Cambridge

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