Page 168 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

Norms are said to be emergent, as they develop gradually throughout interactions between

group members. (Forsyth, 2009) While many norms are widespread throughout society, groups

may develop their own norms that members must learn when they join the group. There are various

types of norms, including: prescriptive, proscriptive, descriptive, and injunctive. (Forsyth, 2009)

• Prescriptive Norms: the socially appropriate way to respond in a social situation, or what

group members are supposed to do (e.g. saying thank you after someone does a favor)

• Proscriptive Norms: actions that group members should not do; prohibitive (e.g. not

belching in public)

• Descriptive Norms: describe what people usually do (e.g. clapping after a speech)

• Injunctive Norms: describe behaviors that people ought to do; more evaluative in nature

than a descriptive norm

Intermember Relations are the connections among the members of a group, or the social

network within a group. Group members are linked to one another at varying levels. Examining

the intermember relations of a group can highlight a group's density (how many members are

linked to one another), or the degree centrality of members (number of ties between members).

(Forsyth, 2009) Analysing the intermember relations aspect of a group can highlight the degree

centrality of each member in the group, which can lead to a better understanding of the roles of

certain group (e.g. an individual who is a 'go-between' in a group will have closer ties to numerous

group members which can aid in communication, etc.). (Forsyth, 2009)

Values are goals or ideas that serve as guiding principles for the group. (Schwarz,

2007) Like norms, values may be communicated either explicitly or on an ad hoc basis.

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