Social Norms: Definition and Impact on Behavior

Question 1

How do culture and social movements shape the development and evolution of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Culture provides the basis for social norms, while social movements can challenge and transform them.

Answer

Culture and social movements have no influence on social norms.

Answer

Culture alone determines social norms.

Answer

Social movements cannot alter social norms, only reinforce them.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most accurate definition of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Unwritten guidelines that shape behavior within a group

Answer

Formal rules that control behavior in a society

Answer

Traditions that are passed down through generations

Answer

Legal regulations that enforce acceptable conduct

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Allowing individuals complete freedom of action

Answer

Establishing standards of behavior

Answer

Creating a sense of order and predictability

Answer

Promoting social cohesion

Question 4

Over time, how do social norms typically evolve?

Accepted Answer

They change gradually in response to societal shifts

Answer

They remain largely unchanged

Answer

They change rapidly in accordance with technological advancements

Answer

They change only during periods of major social upheavals

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Enforced by formal sanctions

Answer

Unwritten rules

Answer

Influence what is considered acceptable or unacceptable

Answer

Shape interactions with others

Question 6

How do social norms vary across cultures?

Accepted Answer

They vary in both content and function

Answer

They are always the same

Answer

They vary in content but not in function

Answer

They only exist in individualistic cultures

Question 7

Define social norms and provide an example of how they are applied in everyday life.

Accepted Answer

Unwritten rules that guide behavior in society, like greeting others when entering a room.

Answer

Government-enforced laws, like traffic regulations.

Answer

Universal moral values, like honesty.

Answer

Social customs with no impact on behavior, like wearing specific clothing.

Question 8

Which of the following is the most precise definition of a social norm?

Accepted Answer

Unwritten rules that guide behavior within a society

Answer

Explicit guidelines formally written down and enforced by authorities

Answer

Loosely suggested but not strictly enforced behavioral expectations

Answer

Traditions passed down through generations without conscious effort

Question 9

Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with social norms?

Accepted Answer

Universal application across all societies

Answer

Unwritten nature

Answer

Behavioral influence

Answer

Potential for change over time

Question 10

True or False: Social norms unequivocally promote positive outcomes and benefits.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 11

How are social norms and social control related?

Accepted Answer

Social norms can both support and hinder social control.

Answer

Social norms are a form of social control.

Answer

Social control is a form of social norms.

Answer

Social norms and social control are entirely unrelated.

Question 12

What is the primary distinction between social norms and laws?

Accepted Answer

Laws are documented and enforced, while social norms are unwritten and enforced through social pressure.

Answer

Laws are inherently more significant than social norms.

Answer

Social norms are inherently more significant than laws.

Answer

Laws and social norms are essentially the same concept.

Question 13

How do social norms impact ethical considerations? Choose the best answer:

Accepted Answer

Social norms can sometimes conflict with individual freedom and social justice.

Answer

Social norms always promote social order and unity.

Answer

Social norms always ensure individual freedom and social justice.

Answer

Social norms are always morally neutral.

Question 14

How do social norms shape the structure and functions of societal institutions, like the family or education system?

Accepted Answer

Social norms provide a framework for organizing and guiding institutions.

Answer

Social norms have no influence on the development of institutions.

Answer

Social norms only limit individual freedoms within institutions.

Question 15

Which of the following is a notable characteristic of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Enforcement through social sanctions.

Answer

Formal documentation and legal enforcement.

Answer

Universal consistency across different societies.

Answer

Unaffected by cultural influences.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a type of social norm?

Accepted Answer

Legal norms

Answer

Proscriptive norms

Answer

Prescriptive norms

Answer

Folkways

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a proscriptive social norm?

Accepted Answer

Refraining from theft.

Answer

Expressing gratitude and respect.

Answer

Attending educational institutions.

Answer

Maintaining punctuality.

Question 18

How do social norms vary across different societies?

Accepted Answer

They exhibit variations in content and intensity.

Answer

They remain identical across all societies.

Answer

They are solely influenced by religious beliefs.

Answer

They are unaffected by cultural factors.

Question 19

How are social norms related to social control within a society?

Accepted Answer

Social norms provide the foundation for social control, shaping behavior through unwritten rules and expectations.

Answer

Social control is a distinct concept from social norms, focusing on external mechanisms like laws and punishments.

Answer

Social norms and social control are interchangeable terms, both referring to the regulation of behavior.

Answer

Social control is only possible in the absence of social norms.

Question 20

When considering the ethical implications of using social norms to influence behavior, which of the following is a primary concern?

Accepted Answer

The potential for manipulation and the erosion of individual autonomy.

Answer

The potential for promoting social good and improving societal well-being.

Answer

The need to ensure that the intended outcomes are always positive in nature.

Answer

The belief that it is always ethically acceptable to use social norms to influence behavior.

Question 21

How do social norms impact our daily actions and define acceptable behavior?

Accepted Answer

Social norms guide our actions and help us fit into society.

Answer

Social norms have little influence on our behavior or society.

Answer

Social norms only apply to specific cultures and are not universally recognized.

Answer

Governments are the primary creators and enforcers of social norms.

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Social norms are always positive and beneficial for society.

Answer

Social norms are unwritten and informal rules.

Answer

Social norms can vary across different cultures and societies.

Answer

Social norms are enforced through social sanctions, such as approval or disapproval.

Question 23

What is the fundamental purpose of social norms in a society?

Accepted Answer

To maintain social order and regulate behavior.

Answer

To allow individuals to express their creativity and individuality.

Answer

To promote diversity and encourage different ways of life.

Answer

To facilitate social change and challenge existing norms.

Question 24

Provide an example of a social norm that is prevalent in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Greeting others with a handshake.

Answer

Using chopsticks to eat food.

Answer

Attending school in a designated uniform.

Answer

Marrying exclusively within one's own social class.

Question 25

What is the distinction between descriptive and injunctive norms?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive norms describe what people typically do, while injunctive norms prescribe what people should do.

Answer

Injunctive norms describe what people typically do, while descriptive norms prescribe what people should do.

Answer

Descriptive and injunctive norms are synonymous and have the same function.

Answer

Descriptive norms are more common in individualistic cultures, while injunctive norms are more common in collectivist cultures.

Question 26

Social norms play a significant role in shaping our identity. Which of the following is NOT a way in which they influence our sense of self?

Accepted Answer

Creating a sense of individuality.

Answer

Providing us with a sense of belonging and connectedness.

Answer

Guiding our beliefs and values.

Answer

Boosting our self-esteem.

Question 27

How does technology facilitate the enforcement of social norms?

Accepted Answer

By offering platforms for individuals to report and condemn those who break norms.

Answer

By enabling individuals to avoid established authority figures.

Answer

By decreasing the visibility of social norms.

Answer

By allowing individuals to establish and enforce their own social norms.

Question 28

Social norms have certain defining characteristics. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of social norms?

Accepted Answer

They are always absolutely correct and objective.

Answer

They are unwritten rules or expectations.

Answer

They regulate behavior within a society.

Answer

They can vary across different cultures.

Question 29

Different types of social norms exist. Which of the following is an example of a positive social norm?

Accepted Answer

Greeting friends with a handshake.

Answer

Littering in public spaces.

Answer

Cheating on exams.

Answer

Disrespecting authority figures.

Question 30

True or False: Social norms are the same across all cultures and societies.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 31

How do social norms contribute to social order and stability?

Accepted Answer

By providing a sense of predictability, reducing conflict, and encouraging conformity to societal expectations.

Answer

By preventing individuals from expressing their creativity

Answer

By ensuring that everyone always follows the law

Question 32

Which of the following is a recent example of a social norm that has evolved over time?

Accepted Answer

The acceptance of same-sex marriage

Answer

The expectation to greet others with a handshake

Answer

The prohibition of jaywalking

Question 33

Social norms sometimes clash with personal freedom. Discuss the ethical considerations and potential consequences of enforcing social norms that restrict individual autonomy.

Accepted Answer

Balancing social norms and individual freedom is often complex. Ethical considerations should be carefully evaluated in each situation.

Answer

Enforcing social norms is always essential for social order, even if it limits individual freedom.

Answer

Individual freedom should always come first, regardless of the consequences.

Answer

Social norms should only be enforced when everyone in society agrees.

Question 34

Which of the following is a key feature of social norms?

Accepted Answer

They influence our expectations and guide our behavior.

Answer

They are documented and rigidly enforced.

Answer

They are identical in all cultures.

Answer

They have no impact on our ideas and actions.

Question 35

How do the functions of social norms differ across cultures?

Accepted Answer

Social norms serve varying purposes in different cultures, reflecting their cultural contexts.

Answer

Social norms promote conformity and maintain social order in all cultures.

Answer

Social norms are enforced solely through legal sanctions in all cultures.

Answer

Social norms do not exist in cultures that value individualism.

Question 36

What is the most accurate definition of a social norm?

Accepted Answer

Unwritten rules that govern behavior within a society, guiding what is considered acceptable and unacceptable.

Answer

Personal values and beliefs that influence individual conduct

Answer

Formal laws enforced by authorities

Question 37

What is a primary function of social norms?

Accepted Answer

To regulate behavior and foster cooperation within society

Answer

To punish individuals who break the law

Answer

To reward individuals who conform to societal standards

Question 38

Which consequence is most likely to result from violating a social norm?

Accepted Answer

Social disapproval or criticism

Answer

Imprisonment

Answer

Financial penalties

Question 39

Which of the following is a unique characteristic of social norms?

Accepted Answer

They are unwritten and informal, relying on social rather than legal enforcement.

Answer

They are only enforced by the government

Answer

They are universally the same across all cultures

Question 40

Which example represents a descriptive social norm?

Accepted Answer

In my community, it is common to volunteer for local charities.

Answer

It is unacceptable to cheat on an exam.

Answer

People should always respect their elders.

Question 41

Which example represents an injunctive social norm?

Accepted Answer

Do not interrupt others when they are speaking.

Answer

People in our neighborhood are generally friendly and welcoming.

Answer

It is common to tip service staff at restaurants.

Question 42

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of social norms?

Accepted Answer

They are unwritten and informal

Answer

They are enforced through legal sanctions

Answer

They are always universally accepted

Answer

They are only relevant to specific social groups

Question 43

How do social norms influence our behavior?

Accepted Answer

They provide expectations for appropriate conduct

Answer

They force us to conform to their standards

Answer

They have no impact on our behavior

Answer

They only apply in specific situations

Question 44

Which of the following is a key feature of social norms?

Accepted Answer

They are unwritten rules.

Answer

They are enforced by laws.

Answer

They are only found in small groups.

Answer

They are always positive.

Question 45

Social norms can change over time because:

Accepted Answer

They are influenced by social change.

Answer

They are only influenced by laws.

Answer

None of the above.

Answer

They are always fixed and unchanging.

Question 46

Which of the following is a benefit of conforming to social norms?

Accepted Answer

It can help us to be accepted by others.

Answer

It can always lead to success.

Answer

It can guarantee our happiness.

Question 47

Which of the following is a challenge of deviating from social norms?

Accepted Answer

We may experience social disapproval.

Answer

None of the above.

Answer

We may never be accepted by others.

Answer

We may always be successful in the long run.

Question 48

How do social norms help to maintain social order?

Accepted Answer

They provide a shared understanding of what is expected.

Answer

They punish people who misbehave.

Answer

They force people to obey the law.

Question 49

How do social norms affect our sense of self?

Accepted Answer

They help us to define who we are and how we should behave.

Answer

They only affect our behavior in public.

Answer

They have no impact on our self-concept.

Question 50

What are social norms best defined as?

Accepted Answer

Unwritten rules that guide behavior in a society.

Answer

Rules for playing games.

Answer

Formal laws enforced by the government.

Answer

Personal moral principles.

Question 51

Which of these is a common example of a social norm in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Saying 'please' and 'thank you' when making a request.

Answer

Wearing a uniform to school.

Answer

Following traffic laws.

Answer

Attending religious services.

Question 52

Social norms can vary depending on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Culture, social group, and situation.

Answer

Only on a person's age.

Answer

Only on a person's political beliefs.

Answer

Only on a person's income level.

Question 53

What might happen if someone breaks a social norm?

Accepted Answer

They might face social disapproval or be excluded from a group.

Answer

They will always be arrested by the police.

Answer

They will always be physically harmed.

Answer

Nothing will happen.

Question 54

One of the main purposes of social norms is to:

Accepted Answer

Promote order and cooperation within society.

Answer

Make sure everyone is treated equally.

Answer

Prevent any change from happening.

Answer

Force everyone to think the same way.

Question 55

How are social norms usually enforced?

Accepted Answer

Through informal social pressures, like teasing or disapproval.

Answer

Through a system of rewards and penalties.

Answer

Mainly through strict laws and punishments.

Answer

Primarily through religious teachings.

Question 56

What factors can lead to changes in social norms?

Accepted Answer

New technologies, shifting cultural values, and social movements.

Answer

Only changes in religious beliefs.

Answer

Only natural disasters.

Answer

Only changes in government laws.

Question 57

Social norms can have both positive and negative effects on society. This means they can:

Accepted Answer

Help people get along but also limit individual freedom sometimes.

Answer

Have no real impact on society.

Answer

Only lead to good things happening.

Answer

Only cause problems and conflict.