OBNotes.htm Organizational Behavior Notes by Wilf Ratzburg: GROUPS AND TYPES OF NORMS

NORMS prescriptive -- dictating behavior that should be performed proscriptive -- dictating behaviors to be avoided	Norms differ from rules in that they are not formal or written down. Norms may in fact be so subtle that group members are in fact unaware that they even exist. Whereas an organization may have rules regarding honesty in the workplace, it is far more likely that it is unwritten norms which foster worker honesty, loyalty, appropriate dress or behaviors related to absenteeism or tardiness. Furthermore, norms govern behavior in many areas. Some classes of norms are listed below:
.	CLASSES OF NORMS
.	PERFORMANCE-RELATED	*most common norms having to do with the task of the group*
.	APPEARANCE FACTORS	*attire* *demonstrations of loyalty; internalization of common norms*
.	INFORMAL SOCIAL ARRANGEMENTS	*cliques* *coalitions*
.	ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES	*norms regarding who gets what in given situations*

NORMS: TYPES