Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Group Norms


There are several group norms at SJSU. We follow norms everyday. Coming to class on time, finishing assigned group work, and not being disruptive are some norms we all follow. If students at SJSU violate group norms, other students will eventually become angry.

In the group that I spend time with, there are also group norms. One distinct group norm is to not be arrogant. We are a talkative and humorous group; therefore, when an egotistical person enters the group, the other members avoid the relationship. As stated in the book, when norms are violated, the group responds by ignoring the member. As a second offense, the group reacts by showing irritation or commenting jokingly.

Group norms are practiced all the time. As individuals, we first observe the group we are entering. As we become more comfortable in the group setting, we are able to adapt our actions to follow the group norms. The faster we adjust to a group’s norms, the quicker we feel acceptance into the group. 

1 comment:

  1. Wow, the example you gave of the norms in your group of friends was exactly like mine! My group of friends also don’t like egotistical people and will ignore and/or talk about them.

    I never thought of something so simple like going to class on time and not being disruptive as norms at SJSU. I had a bit of trouble trying to think of norms, but simple actions like those are the most obvious ones!

    Your last sentence struck me because it seems like people have to change themselves to be accepted into the group quicker, but I may be looking at it in a negative way where a person is forced into a group and not joining out of their free will.

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