Norm Formation — APS Publishing Platform

Definition

Norm Formation is the process through which socially organised evaluation becomes stabilised as recognisable, expected, transmitted, reinforced, contestable, and revisable constraint.

In Brief

Norm Formation explains how recurring patterns of Shared Evaluation acquire social continuity and become stable normative organisation.

Norm Formation explains how recurring patterns of Shared Evaluation acquire social continuity.

Not every repeated behaviour becomes a norm. Repetition may result from environmental conditions, incentives, imitation, habit, or coercion. Normativity emerges when socially organised evaluation becomes associated with recognisable expectations concerning how conduct should be interpreted and responded to.

Through Norm Formation, expectations become transmissible across individuals and across time. Departures may be criticised, sanctioned, defended, justified, or used to challenge the norm itself.

Shared Evaluation ↓ Norm Formation ↓ Social Norms

Norm Formation therefore explains how socially coordinated significance becomes stable normative organisation.

Referenced By

From Significance to Morality: The Social Architecture of APS Article Draft