Explain norms of behavior in a group.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. The standards that a work group uses to evaluate the behavior of its members are its norms of behavior. These norms may be written or unwritten, verbalized or not verbalized, implicit or explicit. As long as individual members of the group understand them, the norms can be effective in influencing behavior. They may specify what members of a group should do or not do. Behavioral norms may evolve informally or unconsciously, or they may arise in response to specific challenges. Morality norms are more important than competence norms when it comes to making decisions about improving the status of one's work group. Performance norms are among the most important group norms from the organization's perspective. Even when group members work in isolation on creative projects, they display conformity to group norms. Group norms of cooperative behavior within a team can lead to members working for mutual benefit, which in turn facilitates team performance. Finally, norms that create awareness of and help regulate emotions are critical to groups' effectiveness. Please see the section "Group Behavior" for more information.