All people are individual. Their differences are due to a number of factors, the most significant of which are ethnicity, nationality, external data, character, thinking, worldview, goals, habits, interests, etc. Even among the seven billion people of the Earth, there are no two absolutely identical people.
But, despite this, all people have one thing in common - their full life is possible only within the social unit. It is society that is the most comfortable habitat for humans, regardless of personality factors.
Social norms: general concepts
The norms of human behavior in society is a rather multifaceted concept, reflecting the forms of interaction of a person with the world around her.
A person as a social unit should be guided by the rules and customs established in a particular society. For each specific situation, there is a set of rules, which, however, are not fixed. So, actions that are acceptable in one society are categorically unacceptable in another. On the other hand, social norms of personality behavior can vary depending on the situation and time.
For example, imagine that you met old friends with whom you have been friends for many years. You can allow yourself to stay free, put on what you think is necessary, and do not be shy about expressions containing profanity, cheeky gestures and bad habits. Friends are used to you and take all your actions as normal. Now imagine that you came to work in a large corporation and plan to achieve considerable career success here. Your image, actions and gestures in this situation will radically differ from the previous situation: the appearance corresponds to the dress code, speech takes on a business color, bad habits are maximally veiled. But after a year or two, you go with your employees to a long-planned corporate party. In this situation, you can allow yourself to show a piece of your real self. Indeed, despite the fact that the composition of society has not changed, the situation has changed, and too restrained behavior can be perceived by others as distrust or hostility on your part.
If standards of behavior can be mobile, then the fundamental principles that define behavioral manners and outlooks on life should have more clear boundaries.
Components of social norms
Lifestyle and behavior are dictated by a combination of external and internal factors, which were influenced by both the surrounding society and the person himself.
The system of norms of behavior includes the following concepts:
1. Social norms - indicate the necessary model of behavior in a particular society.
2. Habits are a set of personal behavioral models for a given situation, fixed as a result of repeated repetition.
There are positive, neutral and bad habits. Positive habits with approval are perceived by society (greeting at a meeting, use of polite words), neutral habits often do not cause any reactions (drinking tea without sugar, keeping a diary), bad habits speak of bad manners and characterize a person from a negative side (smoking, champing, conversation with a mouthful, loud belching).
3. Manners - forms of behavior based on habits. They characterize the upbringing of a person and his belonging to a certain social layer. A well-mannered person knows how to dress elegantly, knows the rules of etiquette at the table, clearly articulates his thoughts and expresses them in a form understandable to the interlocutor.
4. Etiquette - a set of norms of behavior (politeness, tact, tolerance), relevant for higher social strata.
5. Social values - this is the standard of ideas approved by most social units: good, justice, patriotism.
6. Principles are particularly important and unshakable beliefs that a person creates for himself. This is a kind of boundary set for self-control. For example, for one person a family is the highest value, and he will never allow himself to be betrayed. For another, fidelity is not included in the list of principles; he can repeat treason repeatedly without remorse.
Religion as a lever for controlling human behavior
Despite the achievements of science, progressive thinking and modern outlooks on life, religion is still one of the important factors in the formation of norms of individual behavior.
The priority importance of religion for a person is due to several factors:
1. Help from above. Every person sooner or later face trouble, which become a real test for his will. Bankruptcy, loss of property, divorce, serious illness or death of a loved one … It is in such situations that people most often recall the presence of invisible power in the sky. Their faith may be fickle, but at such moments they need someone to whom they can shift part of the responsibility, from whom you can expect help, albeit illusory.
2. Setting up principles. Religion often becomes a dogmatic guide pointing to moral standards of behavior. Biblical commandments say that you cannot kill, rob and commit adultery, and some people perceive these principles as personal.
3. The search for the meaning of life. Another reason for turning to religion is the search for answers to eternal questions.
Behavior patterns
Each action performed by a person is caused by a corresponding motive, which, in turn, dictates the order of reproduced acts.
All actions are divided into two categories:
1. Automatic - these are actions based on innate and acquired reflexes and skills that do not require mental awareness and are performed inertia. These include the ability to chew, breathe, walk upright, read, speak their native language.
2. Conscious - this is more complex actions or their combination, requiring the use of human intellectual abilities. This model of behavior is based on the choice of one or another pattern of action in an unfamiliar situation.
For example, you are angry at a person and want to express your indignation to him, insult and humiliate him. But you understand that your desire is temporary and connected not only with this person, but also with your bad mood and general failures. If you succumb to aggression, then, most likely, you will forever lose contact with the person. It is consciousness that decides what to do in this situation, evaluating all the pros and cons. In addition, the dominance of the logical or emotional component in the character plays an important role.
Youth behavior
Youth is the perspective of the nation. Therefore, it is very important how the rising generation will be brought up.
Standards of human behavior in society urge young people:
- be active participants in society;
- Set life goals and strive to achieve them;
- diversify your personality;
- do sport;
- get a decent education;
- lead a healthy lifestyle without smoking and drinking alcohol;
- Do not use profanity and rude expressions in a conversation;
- Respect the older generation;
- create a value system for yourself and adhere to it;
- Know and abide by the rules of etiquette.
But in the modern world, the behavior of young people in society often differs from established norms and has a deviant character.
So, some young people aged 14 to 20 believe that smoking and drinking alcohol is fashionable, and attending lectures at the institute is an activity for crampons. They prefer discos to books, are rude in utterances and have promiscuous sex.
This behavior is most often formed under the influence of the company and requires immediate intervention by the parents.
The interaction of youth with the older generation
The problem of interaction between different generations will always be relevant. The value system, on which one age group is brought up, partially loses its relevance by the time of growing up another. Therefore, misunderstanding and disagreement arise.
Among the main causes of conflicts are incompatibility of interests, different social status, immoral behavior of one of the parties, lack of communication culture, the struggle for superiority, unwillingness to concede.
Nevertheless, the values and norms of behavior instilled in us from childhood say that the younger generation should be inferior to the elders in any situation, even if such a decision seems unfair. In addition, you must adhere to a certain model of behavior. In communication you need to use a respectful form of appeal - “you”, and also to avoid slang. It is not allowed to make fun of or make fun of elders. And refusing help is considered bad form.
Standards of conduct between spouses
To build a sustainable home, you need to lay a solid foundation and build bricks on the bricks. So in family relationships - love is the foundation, moral standards of conduct - with bricks.
Marital life is not only joyful moments, it is also disappointment, irritation and resentment. In order to adequately go through all the unpleasant moments and preserve the integrity of the marriage, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- treat the partner as an equal;
- value his personal qualities;
- support in any undertakings and not make fun of failures;
- discuss important points and make decisions together;
- Do not switch to insults and grievances;
- do not allow yourself assault;
- be faithful to your spouse.
Business Etiquette
If the general norms of human behavior in society can vary depending on the situation, then business etiquette is a set of behavioral models that have the most defined line.
In the business world, there are 5 rules of etiquette:
1. Punctuality. Come to all important meetings on time, this will show your organization.
2. Competence. Be savvy in what you are talking about. Sometimes it is better to remain silent than to give false information.
3. Speech. Learn to speak competently and clearly. Even the most successful idea presented in a clumsy and uncertain language is doomed to failure.
4. Appearance speaks of your taste and status, therefore, in your wardrobe, in addition to jeans and T-shirts, there must be a suit for an important meeting.
5. Interaction. Listen to the opinions of others and do not trust your idea to the first comer.
Compliance with these rules plays a very important role, as it reflects the level of professionalism and the seriousness of the approach to business.
Deviant behavior: deviation from the norm
Rules and norms of human behavior can not always be expressed by regulated standards. Some patterns of behavior may have a significant deviation from the norm. This manner is defined as deviant. It can have both positive and negative traits.
A striking example of opposing deviants are terrorists and national heroes. The actions of both of them are deviated from the behavior of the "middle masses", but are perceived by society differently.
Thus, general norms of behavior can be placed on one axis, and deviant deviations at different poles.
Forms of abnormal behavior in society
The norms of human behavior in society, expressed as deviant, have four pronounced forms:
- Crime. In recent years, this figure has grown by 17%. In many ways, crime is due to the transition to market relations and a high level of competition, unemployment and low living standards, as well as psychological deviations. In addition, corruption in the legal and judicial executive branches is of no small importance, which allows, if there is enough money, to avoid liability for violation of the law.
- Alcoholism. Alcohol is an integral part of festive feasts and ordinary friendly gatherings. It is used to celebrate something, to quench pain or just relieve stress. People are used to the fact that alcohol has become a part of their life, and they are not aware of its detrimental effect on the individual and on society as a whole. According to statistics, 70% of crimes are committed while intoxicated, and in more than 20% of fatal accidents drunk drivers are to blame.
- Addiction. Dependence on a psychotropic substance that depletes the body and leads to its degradation. Unfortunately, despite the official prohibition of narcotic drugs, every tenth teenager has tried one or more types of drugs.
- Suicide. Suicide is a deliberate desire to take life because of problems that seem insoluble. According to world statistics, suicide is most characteristic of highly developed countries where there is high competition both in the business sphere and on the personal front. The age group most at risk is adolescents from 14 to 18 years old and people of retirement age.
