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35 Examples of Social Expectations

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Social expectations are behaviors that are widely considered appropriate by a social group such that they tend to increase social acceptance by that group. These are also known as social norms and are essentially unspoken rules that help people to get along in a society, culture, community, institution, family or group. In individualistic societies social expectations are often portrayed as a negative force whereby you should never bend to the expectations of others. This is only advisable to the extent that you can exceed expectations or compensate in some wonderful way for ignoring norms. For example, someone with great wit and humor may easily be forgiven for breaking rules of politeness. The following are illustrative examples of social expectations.
Apologize When You Wrong / Inconvenience Someone
Apply Appropriate Diligence to Tasks
Arrive on Time For Things You've Committed to Do
Avoid Embarrassing Others (in face saving cultures)
Be Candid and Honest (in cultures where this is valued)
Be Quiet At Night / Avoid Waking Others
Civility
Completing a Minimum Level of Education
Complying to Laws That Are Reasonable
Demonstrating Consideration for Others
Etiquette
Expectations of Privacy (e.g. not being observed in the bathroom)
Follow Rules Where They Are Reasonable
Following the Accepted Procedure for Coughing or Sneezing in Public
Fulfil the Requirements of a Role You've Accepted
Greeting People You Know When You See Them
Letting Others Talk / Taking Turns in Conversation
Listening to Others
Maintain Your Home / Property to Some Reasonable State
Making Eye Contact
Not Bullying / Intimidating Others
Personal Hygiene
Politeness
Professionalism
Respecting the Freedoms of Others
Respecting the Health and Safety of Others
Respecting the Rights of Others
Sportsmanship
Standing in Line to Wait
Taking Responsibility For Your Actions
Thanking Others
Tolerance & Inclusion
Waking During the Day and Sleeping at Night
Wearing Clothing in Public
Working / Contributing to Society

Social Expectations vs Social Pressures

Social expectations are minimum behaviors expected of people that help people to get along in a society, place, group or situation. Social pressures are more related to the social drive to compete, thrive, produce outcomes, achieve social status and fully participate in society, culture or a group. For example, a social expectation is that you wear clothing to school and a social pressure is that you wear fashionable clothing to school.

Changing Norms

Social expectations change with time. Where they change quickly, there may be resistance to change.

Generational Norms

Older generations play a role in transmitting existing / traditional norms to younger generations and are often only partially successful in this role. Younger generations play a role in challenging existing norms and creating change. It is common for norms to differ by generation as some people will not adapt to changing norms.

Cultural Norms

Norms differ greatly by culture but are also adopted at the level of a society. It is common for people to form subcultures that challenge the norms of dominant cultures / society.

Advantages / Benefits

Social expectations help people to get along, resolve disagreements, cooperate and enjoy a high quality of life. They include rules of social fairness such as politeness. They include pragmatic rules that help to organize things such as the norm of standing in line to wait when many people want something at the same time. They include conventions of communication and socialization that provide a framework for getting to know other people and cooperating. They include elements that synchronize social processes such as the norm that people wake in the day and sleep at night. Generally speaking social expectations can create civility, peace, common understanding and help a community to thrive.

Disadvantages

Social expectations can encourage mediocrity whereby people do the minimum expected of norms but fail to thrive as an individual. For example, an administrator who follows the norms of their profession but isn't particularly productive, creative or kind. If you disagree with social expectations, you may find them to be painful and oppressive. Failure to comply to norms can cause social exclusion that can be isolating. Change to social norms tends to cause conflict and instability but is often required to adapt to changes to society or social problems. Social expectations differ greatly by culture and can make it more difficult for people from different cultures or societies to get along. Social expectations may include norms for dealing with this such as the norm that you be inclusive, helpful and kind to those who may be unfamiliar with local norms.
Overview: Social Expectations
Type
Definition (1)
Behaviors that are widely considered appropriate by a social group such that they tend to increase social acceptance by that group.
Definition (2)
Minimum behaviors expected of people that help people to get along in a society, place, group or situation.
Commonly Confused With
Also Known As
Related Concepts

Norms

This is the complete list of articles we have written about norms.
Anomie
Common Sense
Conformity
Culture
Culture Change
Formal Situations
Mores
Norms
Shared Meaning
Social Cohesion
Social Cues
Social Expectations
Social Norms
Social Pressure
Social Systems
Super Culture
Tact
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