Informal Norms

Informal Norms are unwritten rules and expectations that govern everyday behavior within a society or group. Unlike formal norms, such as laws or regulations, informal norms are not codified but are understood through socialization and enforced through social pressure. Examples include customs like greeting someone politely, queuing in public places, or maintaining personal space. These norms help maintain social order by guiding acceptable behavior and ensuring predictability in social interactions. In sociology, informal norms are crucial for understanding how social control operates subtly through expectations, peer pressure, and sanctions like disapproval or exclusion. Informal norms vary across cultures, reflecting differing values and priorities within societies. Studying informal norms allows sociologists to explore the mechanisms of social cohesion, conformity, and how deviation from these norms can lead to stigmatization or social conflict.