Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Formal norms are explicit rules and standards that are established by an authority, such as laws and regulations, to guide behavior within a society. They are officially recognized and enforced through formal sanctions.
Related terms
Laws: Official rules established by governmental authorities that prescribe certain behaviors and attach penalties for violations.
Sanctions: Reactions or penalties for compliance or non-compliance with norms, which can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments).