Norms

Norms are a major focus of attention of all social sciences, particularly sociology, political science, economics, anthropology, and social psychology. The social sciences are interested in the empirical study of norms, whereas jurisprudence and philosophy (moral philosophy and deontic logic) address the question of what 'good' norms are and how normative reasoning can be formalized. This article addresses the most important issues in the empirical study of norms. We begin by outlining some basic facts about norms because explanations of norms should address these facts. Before proceeding further, it is useful to elaborate on the major dimensions of the norms concept that are found in the literature and to ask what norms definition is to be preferred. The next issue is how norms can be measured. The central theoretical questions are how norms originate and, if they exist, what effects they have. These questions are addressed in the last two sections of the article. Norms are a major focus of attention of all social sciences, particularly sociology, political science, economics, anthropology , and social psychology. The social sciences are interested in the empirical study of norms, whereas jurisprudence and philosophy (moral philosophy and deontic logic) address the question of what 'good' norms are and how normative reasoning can be formalized. The literature on norms is so vast that a short article on this subject has to be restrictive. The following sections address the most important questions of the study of norms. We begin by outlining some basic facts about norms because explanations of norms should address these facts. Before proceeding further, it is useful to elaborate on the major dimensions of the norms concept that are found in the literature and to ask what norms definition is to be preferred. The next issue is how norms can be measured. The central theoretical questions are how norms originate and, if they exist, what effects they have. These questions are addressed in the last two sections of the article.