- cf.: Group Development
- cf.: Conflict
- Norms are the standards or ground rules that develop in a group that control the behavior of its members.
- They usually express beliefs or desires of the majority.
What “should” and “should not” be said/done.
- They have behavior as their principal focus, to ensure compliance, even if reluctantly.
Sanctions exist for those who violate whatever the norms of the group are.
- Can be implicit or explicit, and may be unconscious
- A change in norms changes the culture of the group.
- Group norms can facilitate or hinder group process.
- Norms of a group evolve, and are difficult to impose by force or external authority.
- cf.: High Performance Organization