Which statement about social norms is correct?

Which statement about social norms is correct?

• A. Standard for behaviour set by individuals and is universal
• B. Standard for behaviour set by groups of individuals and can vary by country, enforced by sanctions
• C. A personal belief that never changes
• D. A legal rule that cannot be changed

Answer: (B)

Social norms are shared expectations about how people should behave within a group or society. They aren’t set by a single individual and they aren’t universal—different cultures and countries develop different norms. They’re maintained by sanctions, which can be informal social consequences like praise or disapproval, and sometimes formal penalties in certain contexts. Because norms reflect what a group expects, they can and do evolve as attitudes shift over time. The statement that standards for behavior are set by groups and can vary by country and are enforced by sanctions best captures this idea. The other options misstate the nature of norms: they aren’t just personal beliefs that never change, and they aren’t fixed legal rules; laws can change, and norms operate through social pressure rather than just formal law.

Social norms are shared expectations about how people should behave within a group or society. They aren’t set by a single individual and they aren’t universal—different cultures and countries develop different norms. They’re maintained by sanctions, which can be informal social consequences like praise or disapproval, and sometimes formal penalties in certain contexts. Because norms reflect what a group expects, they can and do evolve as attitudes shift over time. The statement that standards for behavior are set by groups and can vary by country and are enforced by sanctions best captures this idea. The other options misstate the nature of norms: they aren’t just personal beliefs that never change, and they aren’t fixed legal rules; laws can change, and norms operate through social pressure rather than just formal law.