All people are individual. Their differences are due to a number of factors, the most significant of which are ethnicity, nationality, external data, character, thinking, worldview, goals, habits, interests, etc. Even among the seven billion population of the Earth, there are no two absolutely identical people.
But, despite this, all people have one thing in common - their full life is possible only within the social cell. It is society that is the most comfortable environment for a person, regardless of personal factors.
Social norms: general concepts
Norms of human behavior in society is a rather multifaceted concept that reflects the forms of interaction of a person with the world around him.
A person as a social unit must be guided by the rules and customs,established in a particular society. For each specific situation, there is a set of rules, which, however, are not fixed. Thus, actions that are acceptable in one society are categorically unacceptable in another. On the other hand, social norms of individual behavior can change depending on the situation and time. For example, imagine that you met with old friends with whom you have been friends for many years. You can afford to be free to wear what you see fit, not to be shy about profanity, cheeky gestures and bad habits. Friends are accustomed to you and perceive all your actions as the norm. Now imagine that you have come to work in a large corporation and plan to achieve considerable career success here. Your image, actions and gestures in this situation will be radically different from the previous situation: appearance corresponds to the dress code, speech acquires a business coloring, bad habits are veiled as much as possible. But after a year or two, you go with your employees to a long-planned corporate party. In this situation, you can allow yourself to show a piece of your real self. Indeed, despite the fact that the composition of society has not changed, the situation has changed, and too restrained behavior can be perceived by others as distrust or hostility on your part.
If norms of behavior can be mobile, then the fundamental principles that determine behavioral patterns and outlooks on life musthave clearer boundaries.
Components of social norms
Lifestyle and behavior are dictated by a combination of external and internal factors, which were influenced by both the surrounding society and the person himself. The system of norms of behavior includes the following concepts:
1. Social norms - indicate the necessary model of behavior in a particular society.
2. Habits are a set of personal behavioral patterns for a particular situation, fixed as a result of repeated repetition.
Distinguish between positive, neutral and bad habits. Positive habits are perceived with approval by society (greeting at a meeting, using polite words), neutral habits often do not cause any reactions (drinking tea without sugar, keeping a diary), bad habits speak of bad manners and characterize a person from a negative side (smoking, champing, talking with a full mouth, loud belching).
3. Manners are forms of behavior based on habits. They characterize the upbringing of a person and his belonging to a certain social stratum. An educated person knows how to dress elegantly, knows the rules of etiquette at the table, clearly formulates his thoughts and expresses them in a form understandable to the interlocutor.
4. Etiquette is a set of norms of behavior (politeness, tact, tolerance), relevant for the highest social strata.
5. Social values are the standard of ideas approved by the majority of social units: goodness,justice, patriotism.
6. Principles are especially important and unshakable beliefs that a person creates for himself. These are some kind of boundaries set for self-control. For example, for one person, the family is the highest value, and he will never allow himself to cheat. For another, loy alty is not included in the list of principles, he can repeat betrayal repeatedly without remorse.
Religion as a lever to control human behavior
Despite the achievements of science, progressive thinking and modern outlook on life, religion is still one of the important factors in shaping the norms of individual behavior.
The priority importance of religion for a person is due to several factors:
1. Help from above. Every person sooner or later faces troubles that become a real test for his will. Bankruptcy, loss of property, divorce, serious illness or death of a loved one… It is in such situations that people most often remember the presence of an invisible force in heaven. Their faith may be fickle, but at such times they need someone to whom they can shift some of the responsibility, from whom they can expect help, albeit an illusory one.
2. Setting principles. It is religion that often becomes a dogmatic guide pointing to moral norms of behavior. Biblical commandments are against killing, robbing, and committing adultery, and some people take these principles as personal.
3. Search for the meaning of life. Another reason to turn toreligions - the search for answers to eternal questions.
Behaviors
Each action performed by a person is due to a corresponding motive, which, in turn, dictates the order of reproducible acts.
All actions are divided into two categories:
1. Automatic actions are actions based on innate and acquired reflexes and skills that do not require mental awareness and are performed inertially. These include the ability to chew, breathe, walk upright, read, speak your native language.
2. Conscious - these are more complex actions or their combination, requiring the use of human intellectual capabilities. This behavior model is based on the choice of one or another action pattern in an unfamiliar situation.
For example, you are angry with a person and want to express your indignation to him, insult and humiliate him. But you understand that your desire is temporary and is connected not only with this person, but also with your bad mood and general failures. If you succumb to aggression, then, most likely, you will forever lose contact with a person. It is consciousness that decides what to do in this situation, evaluating all the pros and cons. In addition, the predominance of the logical or emotional component in the character plays an important role.
Youth Behavior
Youth is the perspective of the nation. Therefore, it is very important how the younger generation will be brought up.
Norms of human behavior in society encourage young people:
- to be active participants in society;
- to set lifegoals and strive to achieve them;
- diversify your personality;
- go in for sports;
- get a decent education;
- lead a he althy lifestyle without smoking and drinking alcohol;
- do not use profanity and rude language in conversation;
- treat the older generation with respect;
- create a value system for yourself and stick to it; - know and follow the rules of etiquette.
But in the modern world, the behavior of young people in society often differs from established norms and has a deviant character.
Thus, some young people between the ages of 14 and 20 believe that smoking and drinking alcohol is fashionable, and attending lectures at the institute is an occupation for swots. They prefer discos to books, are rude in their statements and have promiscuity.
This behavior is most often formed under the influence of the company and requires immediate intervention from the parents.
Interaction of youth with the older generation
The problem of interaction between different generations will always be relevant. The system of values on which one age group was brought up, by the time of growing up, the other partly loses its relevance. Consequently, misunderstandings and disagreements arise.
Among the main causes of conflicts are incompatibility of interests, different social status, immoral behavior of one of the parties, lack of a culture of communication, struggle forsuperiority, unwillingness to yield.
Nevertheless, the values and norms of behavior instilled in us from childhood say that the younger generation should yield to the older ones in any situation, even if such a decision seems unfair. In addition, it is necessary to adhere to a certain model of behavior. In communication, you need to use a respectful form of address - “you”, and also avoid slang. It is not allowed to ridicule and make fun of the elders. And refusing to help is considered bad manners.
Norms of behavior between spouses
To build a sustainable home, you need to lay a solid foundation and build walls brick by brick. So it is in family relationships - love is the foundation, moral standards of behavior are bricks.
Married life is not only joyful moments, it is also disappointment, irritation and resentment. In order to adequately go through all the unpleasant moments and maintain the integrity of the marriage, you must follow a few simple rules:
- treat your partner as an equal;
- appreciate his personal qualities;
- support in any endeavors and not make fun of failures;
- discuss important points and make decisions together;
- do not switch to insults and insults;
- do not allow yourself to be beaten;- be faithful to your spouse.
Business Etiquette
If the general norms of human behavior in society can vary depending on the situation, then business etiquette is a set of behavioral patterns that have the most delineated edge.
There are 5 rules of etiquette in the business world:
1. Punctuality. Arrive to all important meetings on time to show you are organized.
2. Competence. Be smart about what you talk about. Sometimes it is better to remain silent than to give false information.
3. Speech. Learn to speak fluently and clearly. Even the most successful idea, presented in clumsy and uncertain language, is doomed to failure.
4. Appearance speaks of your taste and status, so in your wardrobe, in addition to jeans and T-shirts, you must definitely have a suit for an important meeting.
5. Interaction. Listen to the opinions of others and do not trust your idea to the first person you meet.
Compliance with these rules plays a very important role, as it reflects the level of professionalism and the seriousness of the approach to business.
Deviant behavior: deviant from the norm
Rules and norms of human behavior may not always be expressed according to regulated standards. Some behavior patterns may have a significant deviation from the norm. Such a manner is defined as deviant. She can have both positive and negative traits.
Terrorists and national heroes are a vivid example of opposite deviants. The actions of both are deviated from the behavior of the "middle masses", but are perceived by society differently.
Thus, the general norms of behavior can be placed on one axis, and deviant deviations on different poles.
Forms of abnormal behavior in society
Correct behaviorof a person in society, expressed as deviant, have four pronounced forms:
- Crime. In recent years, this figure has increased by 17%. In many ways, crime is due to the transition to market relations and a high level of competition, unemployment and low living standards, as well as psychological deviations. In addition, corruption in the legal and judicial-executive sectors is of no small importance, which allows, in the presence of we alth, to avoid liability for violation of the law.
- Alcoholism. Alcohol is an integral part of festive feasts and ordinary friendly meetings. It is used to celebrate something, relieve pain or just relieve stress. People are used to the fact that alcohol has become a part of their lives, and do not realize its detrimental effect on the individual and on society as a whole. According to statistics, 70% of crimes are committed while intoxicated, and drunk drivers are to blame for more than 20% of fatal road accidents.
- Drug addiction. Dependence on a psychotropic substance, which depletes the body and leads to its degradation. Unfortunately, despite the official drug ban, every tenth teenager has tried one or more types of drugs.
- Suicide. Suicide is the intentional desire to take one's own life because of problems that seem unsolvable. According to world statistics, suicide is most common in highly developed countries, where there is high competition both in the business sphere and on the personal front. The age group most at risk are teenagers aged 14 to 18 and people of retirement age.
Sanctions for non-compliance
Rules and norms of behavior are governed by the approved laws of the state and the unspoken rules of society.
Sanctions for deviant behavior vary depending on the severity of the violation.
For example, murder or robbery fall under the article of violation of the criminal code, therefore, are punishable by imprisonment. A provocation or a fight are administrative violations. As a liability for misconduct, the violator will be asked to pay a fine or perform civil work. Violations of habits (not washing dishes, not cutting nails, being late for an important meeting, lying) will cause social disapproval and further neglect or contempt.
