Group Norms

Norms play many roles in group communication, and can both constrain or motivate group member actions. A norm like an unspoken agreement among a group, it may not be discussed but it is understood and followed. A norm is the most powerful form of social control of a group. Norms can be developed from other experiences of group members, a reaction to a unique event, or when a group member’s behavior deviates from what is typical in the group. Studies have shown that norms commonly evolve from generalized forms to more defined forms over time. A prescription or code of conduct is a norm that sets standards for what is appropriate group behavior. “Due to this prescriptive quality, group members are sanctioned when they violate group-held norms”

Norms may exist without a group’s conscious awareness, an example may be when group members always sit in the same seat during meetings while another group’s norm may be to sit in different seats every time. Norms can also be mutual respect, punctuality, or giving every group member a chance to speak during meetings. The greater the number of norms in a group, the closer the group members feel to one another and the more powerful they are. When a norm is developed from a group member’s experience it is because they want to add a custom to the group that they feel is beneficial. The group member may have been part of another group in the past, learned from their interactions, and now want to practice it in their present group. A norm can

A 4-day orientation of students was followed starting at their face to face introduction, as part of an online course. “As part of that orientation, students were divided into groups to develop norms that should guide their online interactions” (Keyton, 2006, p. 66). The students established norms such as agreeing to communicate frequently and be efficient. Throughout the course their norms evolved form generalized forms to more clearly defined and concrete forms. The group’s agreement to communicate frequently became more defined into checking their emails twice a day. “One of the strongest influences on norm development was unintentional violation of the norm, with members sanctioning themselves and apologizing to the group members when they violated a norm” (Keyton, 2006, p. 66). The experience of these students explains that norms are very useful, and evolve from vague forms into defined