The Social Norm - Learning and Understanding Social Skills

Summary

In this engaging educational script, 'Social Norm' (Norm) introduces the concept of social norms, explaining their role in guiding behavior within social groups. The video explores how social norms help people predict and understand others' actions and how they vary depending on factors like setting, roles, language, and societal changes. Through relatable examples, such as behavior in a classroom, restaurant, or airport, the script highlights the importance of social awareness in navigating different social contexts. It emphasizes that social norms evolve over time, and recognizing them is key to confidently participating in social interactions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social norms are the expected behaviors within a social group that help people know how to act in different situations.
• 😀 Social groups are groups of people who interact with each other, such as families, classrooms, or groups of people at events.
• 😀 Social norms help predict what others will do, creating comfort and stability in social interactions.
• 😀 When people behave according to social norms, it ensures everyone feels comfortable and that things are 'normal'.
• 😀 Deviating from social norms can make others uncomfortable and may lead to negative consequences or social exclusion.
• 😀 Social norms are learned by observing the behavior of others and their reactions to certain actions.
• 😀 Positive reactions from others often mean behavior is aligned with social norms, while negative reactions indicate unexpected behavior.
• 😀 Social norms can change depending on the role someone plays within a group, such as the difference between the behavior of a restaurant customer and a server.
• 😀 The setting or place influences social norms; behaviors acceptable in one environment may not be in another, like the difference between a classroom and a sports event.
• 😀 Slang and language can influence social norms, as words and phrases become outdated or shift in meaning over time.
• 😀 As society evolves, social norms can change too. For example, smoking used to be socially acceptable but is no longer the norm due to health concerns.

Q & A

What is a social norm?

A social norm is the accepted, expected behavior of people within a social group.

Can you give examples of social groups?

Examples of social groups include people in a family, people at school, people at a sporting event, people at a concert, and people in a store or restaurant.

Why are social norms important?

Social norms help us understand and predict the behavior of others, ensuring predictability and order in social interactions and relationships.

What happens when someone behaves outside of the social norm?

When someone behaves unexpectedly, it creates discomfort in others, as their actions are seen as unpredictable, leading to potential negative consequences or avoidance.

How do we learn about social norms?

We learn about social norms by observing others' behaviors and reactions in social groups, as well as through guidance from parents, teachers, and society.

Do social norms change over time?

Yes, social norms change depending on factors like role within a social group, setting or place, popular language, and societal opinions.

How does the role you play in a social group affect the social norm?

The role you play in a social group affects expected behavior. For example, a server in a restaurant has different norms from a customer, such as when it's appropriate to bring the check.

Can the setting or place influence the social norm?

Yes, the setting can significantly influence social norms. For example, saying 'bomb' at a movie is okay, but saying it at an airport may cause alarm, as it could be misinterpreted as a threat.

How does the use of slang affect social norms?

Slang words can be part of social norms, but they change over time. For example, 'groovy' was popular in the past but is no longer used, while words like 'cool' and 'sick' are still common.

How have societal opinions changed social norms over time?

Societal opinions have caused shifts in social norms, such as the decline in smoking due to the recognition of its harmful effects. It used to be considered cool, but now it's outside the social norm.