Social norms function as unspoken standards which determine how people conduct themselves in daily life through their communication and their social interactions. When a person chooses to violate social standards how will society respond to this behavior? Research findings from real-world studies demonstrate that even minimal rule breaking will result in intense social reactions. The way people respond to social expectations shows their fundamental effect on human conduct. The following list presents ten specific results which occur when people violate social norms.
Immediate Attention and Discomfort
People will start watching someone who displays unexpected behavior through their actions because they stand too close or speak at an excessive loudness. People experience discomfort because the situation violates their understanding of what constitutes normal behavior.
Confusion and Uncertainty
People may not know how to respond. People follow social norms which establish behavior guidelines but when they break these norms people lose their ability to determine appropriate actions.
Increased Self-Awareness in Others
The observers will start to recognize their own conduct. People adjust their behavior to match common standards because they do not want to draw attention to themselves.
Social Judgment Happens Quickly
People form their initial impressions about another person who violates social norms. People will identify the conduct as disrespectful or unusual or unsuitable even when it does not pose any danger.
Emotional Reactions Can Vary
People show two opposite reactions which range from amusement to irritation. Some people will laugh while others will feel annoyed or even threatened depending on the situation.
Authority or Rules May Be Enforced
People who break formal norms get formal intervention in professional environments. Staff members and authority figures have the right to take action when they observe inappropriate behavior.
Group Dynamics Shift
The entire group will experience behavioral changes because of one individual. The group will encounter tension which will disrupt their dialogue and modify their ways of socializing.
Curiosity and Interest Increase
People develop greater interest because their curiosity about their surroundings has reached its highest level. People try to understand the reason behind someone else’s unusual behavior when they see him do something which he normally does not do.
Norms Become More Visible
People who break social norms create a situation which allows others to see those rules which people normally follow without thinking about their existence. People use their everyday social interactions to understand which rules conduct their behavior in public spaces.
Potential for Positive Change
People break social norms for positive reasons. The process of societal change starts when people begin to break existing social rules and their new behavior becomes accepted by the community.
