A social norm is a shared expectation of behavior in a society. It tells people what to do and what not to do in a given situation. Norms are not laws, though some become laws. They are enforced by sanctions: rewards for conformity, punishments for deviance.

Norms vary in strength. Folkways are everyday customs. Mores are moral norms with strong significance. Taboos are prohibitions so strong that violation is unthinkable. Laws are codified norms enforced by the state. Norms also vary by context. What is appropriate at a funeral is not appropriate at a party.

Types of norms

• Folkways: casual customs, like saying please
• Mores: moral norms, like honesty
• Taboos: absolute prohibitions, like incest
• Laws: formal rules enforced by government

Norms are learned through socialization. They become internalized, so people follow them without thinking. When norms break down, societies experience anomie — a sense of normlessness. Norms are the glue that holds social life together.