We explain what the rules are and in what areas they are found. In addition, social, criminal, legal, editorial standards and more.
What is a norm?
Norms are rules that are established for the purpose of regulate behaviors to maintain a certain order and are articulated to establish the bases of accepted behavior within a society or organization.
The rules can be applied in different areas of life and are expected to be accepted by everyone. There are different types, which vary according to the area in which they are applied: religious norms, legal norms, moral norms, social norms. The individual begins to understand and know many of these rules from a young age..
See also: Objective law
Types of standards
Social norms
They are the rules applied within a society when guidelines are required to ensure order for good coexistence and represent the largest system of rules that exists.
When the individual grows up within a certain society, he knows that there are good and bad customs, expected and other inappropriate or improper behaviors. These customs may vary depending on the type of society, culture or traditions.
Social norms are not regulated by law but are patterns that exist in the collective conscious and unconscious and are transmitted from generation to generation. Failure to comply with these rules usually generates rejection by other members of society.
Legal regulations
They are the norms that regulate behavior within a given society. Its purpose is to guarantee the correct functioning and harmony within a community and non-compliance carries a penalty.
The legal rules are detailed in a document and must be known by all members of a society. They are imposed by the competent authority such as the executive or legislative branch of a certain country. The other types of regulations cannot go against the legal ones. For example: laws, treaties and decrees.
Moral standards
They are the norms that establish a series of expected behaviors of the individual. They tend to be the basis of social norms and legal norms, and although are not detailed in writing and they lack a concrete sanction, they are transmitted from generation to generation to guarantee harmony within the communities.
The moral standards They arise from the moral and ethical values that guarantee the integrity of each individual and his relationship with others and with the physical environment that surrounds him.
religious norms
They are the rules that regulate the behavior of members of a certain creed or religion. They are transmitted from generation to generation and are usually expressed in holy or sacred books, such as the Bible of the Catholic religion, or the Torah of the Jewish religion. They regulate behaviors and attitudes in various areas of the public and private life of parishioners.
These types of rules are unenforceable, that is, no individual can force another to comply with them. Non-compliance does not imply a sanction or specific punishment, but are norms that are met individually and autonomously. Some examples of these rules are: the ten commandments, the fasting month of Ramadan.
In addition, we can mention other types of norms:
- Linguistic norm. They are rules that determine the correct use of a certain language and include grammatical and spelling rules.
- Editorial standard. They are specific rules and guidelines that must be followed for literary production and content.
Examples of standards
religious norms
- For the Catholic religion, attend church on Sundays.
- For the Jewish religion, respect the Sabbat.
- For the Muslim religion, make a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca.
Moral standards
- Don't lie.
- Respect the opinions of others.
- Do not discriminate based on race, creed or sex.
Social norms
- Respect the line at banks and shops.
- Give up your seat on public transportation to older adults and pregnant women.
- Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
Legal regulations
- Law that protects freedom of expression.
- International treaty on the rights of the child.
- Law that prohibits the promotion of tobacco products.
Rules and laws
Legal norms are those that regulate the behavior of individuals within a given society and are mandatory. A law is a type of legal norm that arises from the need to regulate and govern social conduct.. Violating the law involves sanctions, fines or arrests.
The laws are dictated by the authority of the country, they must be presented in writing and must be known by all members of society. Depending on the case, the law may prohibit or permit certain conduct and applies to all members equally, without exceptions.
Decrees, treaties and codes are other types of legal rules.
Norms and rules
While norms are given to regulate individual and social behavior within a given society, the rules are more specific postulates that regulate attitudes or behaviors within a certain context, which can be groups or organizations.
The rules are usually written and must be known by all members of a given institution or organization (a football club, a university). They determine what is allowed and what is prohibited within a context and are often based on moral, legal or social norms. Failure to comply with the rules usually brings with it some type of internal sanction.
For example: rules of a sport, rules of coexistence within a building, rules of school recess.
Continue with: Regulations
References
- “Law” on Wikipedia.
- “Religious norm” in Legal Concept.
- “Seven moral rules found all around the world” in The Evolution Institute.
- “Morality” on Wikipedia.
- “Virtue, rules and justice” at Oxford.
