Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Societal norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that guide behavior in a particular society or culture. They dictate what is considered acceptable or unacceptable behavior within a given social group.
Related terms
Socialization: The process through which individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to participate effectively in society.
Cultural relativism: The idea that cultural norms and values should be understood and evaluated within their own context rather than being judged by the standards of another culture.