Chapter 12, Social Psychology

Norms

Norms are the rules that govern our behavior in a social context

The norms for a specific role are generally learned from experience

The norms of a situation guide our behavior, often without our thinking about it

When people violate norms, this can cause awkwardness, discomfort

• Norms of personal space

  • Elevator behavior

  • Men and urinals

Role

A pattern of behavior that is expected of a person in a given setting or group

Stanford Prison Study

• Was very problematic

  • Zimbardo wanted to claim that norms of prisoners and guards simply emerged from the environment. However, not true

• But, it suggests that, situationally, people can easily fall into roles and become subject to norms

• Suggests how prisoner abuse in Iraq was not “a few bad apples” but situational

• In daily life we easily follow

  • Gender roles

  • Family roles

  • Career roles

Stanley Milgram - Obedience to Authority