emergent norms

A Dictionary of Sociology | 1998 | 509 words | Copyright

emergent norms Standards of behaviour that are gradually established by people who have come together into a group. Thus, for example, the ‘emergent norm theory of crowds’ suggests that, although crowds consist of individuals with different attitudes, motives (see VOCABULARIES OF MOTIVE), and values, the ambiguity of the crowd situation encourages the development of a group norm (for that particular circumstance) which creates an illusion of unanimity of purpose and uniformity of behaviour.

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GORDON MARSHALL. "emergent norms." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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GORDON MARSHALL. "emergent norms." A Dictionary of Sociology. 1998. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-emergentnorms.html

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