Customary Norms: The Evolution Of Unwritten Laws

Formal norms are recorded and often become law, whereas informal norms are not precisely recorded and may carry no specific sanctions. Formal norms are widely observed and are considered important, which is why they are often enacted into law. These norms help maintain social order, promote social cohesion, and shape individual behaviour. They are the abstract system of word meanings and symbols that govern a society's behaviour.

Norms that are widely observed and important

Customs are widely observed norms that are often enacted into law. They are important for maintaining order, promoting social cohesion, and shaping individual behaviour.

Customs vary across cultures, but they are generally accepted and followed by the majority of people within a society. They are informal rules that govern behaviour and are central to the production of social order and coordination.

For example, in many cultures, it is customary to remove one's shoes before entering a home. This custom is widely observed and helps maintain social order by promoting cleanliness and respect for personal property.

Another example of a widely observed custom is the practice of greeting others with a handshake or a wave. This custom promotes social cohesion by encouraging friendly and polite interactions between individuals.

In some cultures, it is customary to bring a gift when visiting someone's home. This custom shapes individual behaviour by encouraging people to express their gratitude and appreciation for their host.

Norms that become law

Norms are the informal rules that govern behaviour in groups and societies. Formal norms are recorded and often become law, while informal norms are understood but not precisely recorded and may carry no specific sanctions.

Norms are central to the production of social order and social coordination. They can be internalised by individuals through a process of socialisation, becoming part of one's motives for action. Norms can be introduced and spread through small, close-knit groups, and can be maintained through social identity and group membership. Norms can also be upheld through external sanctions, or internal sanctions, where individuals feel guilt or shame at the prospect of behaving in a deviant way.

Norms can be understood as a kind of 'grammar' of social interactions, specifying what is acceptable and unacceptable in a society or group. Norms are the endogenous product of individuals' interactions, and can be represented as equilibria of games of strategy. Norms can be efficient means to achieve social welfare, prevent market failures, or cut social costs.

Norms can also be understood through a rational choice model, where compliance is a payoff-maximising strategy to avoid negative sanctions or attract positive ones. However, this model does not account for all social norms, as not all social norms involve sanctions.

Norms can emerge and spread, but they can also die out. For example, smoking in public without asking for permission has become unacceptable, while the use of gendered language was not questioned until recently. The stability of a norm depends on it being followed by many members of a group or population.

In summary, norms are the informal rules that govern behaviour and are often recorded and become law. They can be introduced, spread, and maintained through various mechanisms, and can be understood through different theoretical lenses.

Formal norms

An example of a formal norm is a law that prohibits naked sunbathing on public beaches. This norm has been formalised and recorded into law, with specific sanctions for non-compliance. On the other hand, an example of an informal norm is the expectation to tip servers at restaurants. This norm is generally understood and followed but is not recorded into law, and non-compliance may result in social sanctions rather than legal consequences.

The distinction between formal and informal norms is important as it highlights the varying levels of social acceptance and the potential consequences of non-compliance. Formal norms are widely accepted and have legal consequences, while informal norms are more flexible and subject to change.

In conclusion, formal norms are an integral part of social life, shaping our behaviours and maintaining social order. They are widely observed, highly valued, and often enacted into law, reflecting their importance in society.

Norms that are recorded

Norms are the informal rules that govern behaviour in groups and societies. Formal norms are those that are recorded and often become law, whereas informal norms are those that are understood but not precisely recorded and may carry no specific sanctions. Norms are central to the production of social order or social coordination, and research on norms has focused on the functions they perform.

Norms are the result of individuals' interactions and are a kind of grammar of social interactions. They specify what is acceptable and what is not in a society or group. Norms are supported by a cluster of self-fulfilling expectations, beliefs, and common knowledge. Norms can be understood by paying attention to the role played by expectations.

Norms can be differentiated from conventions, which are seen as the endogenous product of individuals' interactions. Norms are also distinct from moral codes or legal rules, which are hypothetical imperatives enforced by sanctions.

Norms are further distinguished from descriptive norms, observable recurrent patterns of behaviour, and normative beliefs and expectations. Norms cannot be identified just with observable behaviour or normative beliefs.

Norms are also differentiated from personal norms, which are beliefs that a certain behaviour ought to be followed, and normative expectations, or second-order beliefs, about what one believes others think ought to be done.

Norms are efficient means to achieve social welfare, prevent market failures, or cut social costs. They solve collective action problems and regulate externalities. Norms hold individuals accountable to each other for adherence to the principles they cover.

Norms that are understood but not recorded

Norms that are generally understood but not recorded are known as informal norms. These are the unwritten rules and expectations widely understood within a society but not officially recorded. Informal norms guide everyday behaviour and interactions, shaping social customs and expectations. They rely on social cues and peer pressure for compliance, and include things like etiquette, manners, and social conventions that vary across different cultures and social groups.

Informal norms are casual behaviours that are widely conformed to in a society. For example, using a napkin at the dinner table, kissing a family member when you see them, or lining up to order food. These norms are not written down or enforced through official channels, but they help maintain order and cohesion within a society by providing guidelines for acceptable behaviour in various situations.

Informal norms are distinct from formal norms, which are written down and enforced through official channels. Formal norms are more likely to become law, as they are already recorded and can be more easily referenced and enforced.

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