Social Studies

What are norms? Types of norms

len Alfred Ajibola - 27th February, 2023 @ 04:16 PM

Topics in Social Studies

Values and Norms explained What are norms? Types of norms Differences between values and norms How to prevent fraud Types of fraud explained Fraud as a contemporary social problem in Nigeria Explanations on the social problems in Nigeria and their solutions Contemporary social problems in Nigeria What is culture? Components of culture in social studies Child marriage and its consequences Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation What is healthy self-esteem? Characteristics of healthy self-esteem Causes of Environmental Problems Environmental Problems: Effects and Solutions to Environmental Problems Consequences of drug trafficking and solutions to drug trafficking Drug Trafficking: Reasons for drug trafficking Self-esteem: How to overcome low self-esteem What is low self-esteem? Characteristics of low self-esteem Low self-esteem: Causes of low self-esteem Consequences of Conflicts and Solutions to Conflict


Academic Questions in Social Studies

Please click here to see all Questions and Answers

A type of marriage whereby a christian man marries a muslim woman is termed _____ marriage.

  • A. Faith

  • B. Religious

  • C. Denominational

  • D. Interfaith

  • E. Intrafaith

  • F. Church-Mosque

_____marriage is said to exist between couples who have lived together for a very long time with no prior form of marriage.

  • A. Open

  • B. Convinience

  • C. Trial

  • D. Left Handed

  • E. Companionate

  • F. Common Law

Tribal marks - Len Academy

The above image is considered a part of harmful traditional practices. The following are similar examples of such practices except _____.

  • A. Sharo

  • B. Wuuse

  • C. Female Genital Mutilation

  • D. Widowhood

  • E. Breast Ironing

  • F. Child Marriage

Marital separation may also be termed as divorce.

  • A. True

  • B. False

An ancient mode of transportation that requires the use of donkeys and camels is termed _____.

  • A. Human trans-animal

  • B. Human trans-ancient

  • C. Human-animal transportation

  • D. Human mechanical movement

  • E. Human porterage

  • F. Human trans-old

Rail transportation is a type of land transportation.

  • A. True

  • B. False

The following statements are true concerning transportation except _____.

  • A. Transportation is defined as the movement of goods, persons and animals from one point to another.

  • B. Means of transportation is not the same thing as Mode of transportation

  • C. Land transportation is a means of transportation

  • D. Rail transportation is a type of land transport

  • E. Pipeline typically transports liquid and gaseous products

  • F. Human porterage is an ancient mode of transportation

Which of the following is not a Nigerian acronym?

  • A. NBA

  • B. ISO

  • C. KAI

  • D. NAEC

  • E. NAPEP

  • F. MMIA


What are Norms?

Norms are always associated with the generally acceptable standard among a group of people in a society. As a result, they are considered as social behaviors, and different societies have often got theirs. For instance, you may have seen the Chinese people eat with certain 'tiny sticks' called chopsticks. This eating pattern is a norm in their society.

Before the days of colonization in Nigeria, it is typical for a Yoruba boy to prostrate when greeting his parents, while a Yoruba girl is expected to knee when greeting her parents. These forms of greeting behavior is a norm in the ancient Yoruba culture. Apparently, these cultural practices are gradually fading away as a result of civilization.

Please read more on culture here.

 

Norm refers to a standard behavior accepted by a group of people or the society.

In a multiethnic country like Nigeria, different ethnic groups have got their respective norms.

You can read on harmful traditional practices in Nigeria here.

 

Norms vary from one society to another. When you consider your place of origin, you may observe that there are certain behavioral patterns unique to your people. It could be in the salutation, food, clothing, games, sports, marriage, education, conversation and courtesy. As an instance, the act of covering one's nose and mouth when sneezing can be considered a norm (with regards to courtesy). Also, words like 'sorry', 'please' and 'excuse me' may also considered as norms in certain situations.

You can read on reputation here.

Meanwhile, understand that norms are usually not contained in written documents. In fact, they are unwritten rules or behaviors learnt by the growing child through the processes of observations, communications and experiences. They eventually become a part of the growing community through the aforementioned processes.

 

Norms are also associated with religion. For instance, as a catholic, females are expected to cover their hair when worshipping in church. Similarly, women cover their hair when praying in mosques. In the buddhist religion (buddhism), one is expected to take off their shoes and hats before entering the temple. The aforementioned behavioral patterns within these religious places are considered as norms, and they can act are guidelines or principles.

You can read on orderliness here.

 

With regards to food, an interesting norm in Nigeria is a meal generally referred to as 'swallow'. These meals include pounded yam, fufu, wheat, eba, amala, starch and so on. Together with a variety of soups, they are eaten with the bare hands; as this is the norm. Interestingly, I have seen people who had attempted to eat 'swallows' with knife, fork and spoon. These made such people look somewhat weird with regards to eating 'swallows'. Therefore, people who do not follow the social norms of the society may find themselves alienated in such society.

Please read the differences between values and norms here.

 

Types of Norms

Generally, there are four types of norms. These are:

  1. Folkways: They are the customs of a sociocultural group which are observed and practiced by those comprising it. An instance is seen when people pour few drops of alcohol on the ground before drinking from it. This action is considered a norm; and for those who practice such, it is believed to act as a tribute and sign of respect to the gods (and spirits) of the land.
    Please read on the sovereignty of God here.

  2. Mores: These norms have a moral value of being right or wrong. The act of breaking such moral value is often considered an offence to the group involved. For instance, it is morally wrong to wear bikini to a church or mosque.
    You can read on the parable of the prodigal son and moral lessons learnt.

  3. Taboos: These are negative norms and are considered as abominable when violated. A person who had committed taboo may become ostracized. An instance of taboo is presented in a story titled 'the gods are not to blame'.
    Please read a summary of the gods are not to blame here.

  4. Laws: These norms govern a federation or state, and are present in the country's constitution. Violators of the law are typically punished for their actions.
    Please read more on constitution here.

 

Recall that culture is a way of life of the people. The values of each culture are set up in the standard behaviors (norms) which are expected to guide the people. In this regard , values and norms have shown to be an integral aspect of various societies.

Please read more on the concept of values and norms here.

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Amazing facts in Social Studies

Yahoo is an acronym for: 'Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle'

Ashrita Furman holds the world record for the holder of the most world records. He had set over 600 records and currently holds more than 200 world records

As at 2023, France remains the most visited country (with about 90 million visitors), followed by Spain (83.7 million). Next is the United States of America (79.3 million)

Car license plate in canada - Len Academy

Some car license plates in the Northwest Territories of Canada are shaped like a polar bear

The Library of Congress located in Washington D.C, America is the world's largest library. It contains over 162 million items in more than 450 languages.

The British Library (with over 150 million items) comes second, followed by the Library and Archives Canada with 54 million items (third), the New York Public Library with 53.1 million items (fourth), and the Russian State Library with 44.4 million items (fifth)

Located in Fez, Morocco, the University of Karueein (or University of Al Quaraouiyine) was founded way back in 859 A.D; and it's the world's oldest university (world's oldest higher learning institution) in the Guinness World Record.

In 1963, it was incorporated into Morocco's modern state university system, with approximately 8,000 students enrolling each academic year

We have got people who have fears on their fears. They are said to exhibit phobophobia which is the fear of phobias

Men big heel shoe - Len Academy

High heel shoes were first designed for men

According to Ecology Global Network, four babies are born every seconds, 250 every minutes, 15,000 every hour, 360,000 everyday and 131.4 million babies every year

People under age 30 account for over 52% of the world's population


NOTABLE POINTS IN Social Studies

The causes of environmental problems can be either natural or man-made.

Natural causes of environmental problems will include the followings:

  • Erosion

  • Earthquakes

  • Drought

  • Tsunami

  • Tornadoes

  • Hurricanes


Some of the man-made causes of environmental problems are:

  • Pollution

  • Ozone layer depletion

  • Deforestation

  • Uncontrolled urbanization

  • Increased turnout of waste

  • Flooding

Environmental problems can be defined as problems associated with the lithosphere (land), atmosphere (air) and hydrosphere (water) as a result of man's action on earth.

Below are some of the constituents that make up our environment. These constituents may in turn act as factors that bring about environmental problems. They include:

  • Air or Atmosphere

  • Soil

  • Water

  • Bacteria

  • The people around us

  • The animals around us

  • The things around us. For instance, books, food, shoes, phones and so on.

Please read more on environmental problems here.

The following proactive processes can help reduce conflict in various organizations:

  1. Communication

  2. Set conflict guidelines

  3. Encourage collaboration and teamwork

  4. Proper recruitment process

  5. Promote social events

  6. Applying fair treatment

  7. Listening and understanding skills

  8. Private opinion and feedback from staff

  9. Gender equality

Please read more on conflict management in organizations here

Conflict can be caused in a variety of ways. For instance, silence may result into conflict. Interestingly, silence has also shown to be a great means of conflict prevention.

Below are some causes of conflicts:

  • Frustration

  • Misunderstanding

  • Poor communication

  • Interest

  • Leadership

  • Personality

Conflict is defined as a disagreement between two or more persons characterized by exchange of words and hostilities.

Conflicts can be reduced in organizations if the following proactive steps are adhered to:

  1. Communication

  2. Set conflict guidelines

  3. Encourage collaboration and teamwork

  4. Proper recruitment process

  5. Promote social events

  6. Application of fair treatment

  7. Listening and understanding skills

  8. Private opinion and feedbacks from staff

  9. Gender equality

Please read on conflict resolution in organizations and their explanations here.