This is a short presentation about understanding the philosophy of social norms and ethics.

2. L E S S O N 1 . H U M A N M I N D A N D B E H A V I O U R I N
R E L A T I O N W I T H T H E S O C I A L N O R M S A N D
E T H I C S
UNDERSTANDING THE
PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL
NORMS AND ETHICS

3. How do we understand the human mind? Let us first
attempt to answer this questions: What makes a man
truly human? According to some ideals of humanism, to
be considered truly human is to have these four
potentials:
1. Physical potentiality
2. Mental ability
3. Communication skills
4. Social skills
However, to be considered a true human being does not
necessarily mean that a person excel’s in all these four
skills; It is enough one averagely possesses all the four
potentialities.

4. PSYCHOALAYTIC THEORY
BY SIGMUND FREUD

9. In connection with the above-mentioned
topic, what premise of human mind does the
“conduct norms” devised by Thorsten Sellin
belong?of course it belongs to the conscious
level.
CONDUCT NORMS-Refers to norms that
are defined by the groups to which
individuals belongs. Meaning these are
norms in a specific socitety to which
everyone must conform in order for him/
her not to be considered “deviant”.

14. Here are five facts about
social norms:

15. 1. Norms are guidelines for acceptable behaviour within a specific group.
Example: “It’s not acceptable to fart in class.”
2. Different social groups will have different norms. (For any particular norm,
the relevant social group is called the reference group.)
Example: “It’s not acceptable to fart in class, but it’s fine to fart in the car with
my best friend.”
3. Norms are usually not written down anywhere. We just kind of pick them
up through:
•noticing the way other people behave (“Nobody else is farting in this class.”)
•noticing the way other people judge behaviour (“Henry farted and now
everyone is making fun of him.”)

16. 4. Some norms are based on what other people actually do and feel, others
can be based on what we believe other people do and feel.
Example: “I think it’s fine to fart in class, but everybody else thinks it’s
unacceptable. Wait, what’s this… an anonymous poll saying everyone
else thinks it’s fine too? Have we all just been holding our farts in because
we thought everyone else would be offended? *farts*”
5. Social norms are enforced by members of the group. If you break a
norm, you get what’s called a social sanction—which could be anything
from a frown to expulsion from the group.
Example: “Alright, a couple of farts and maybe you just had a lot of
beans last night. But 20 minutes straight and you’re clearly taking the
mickey. See me after class.”
On the other hand, if you follow norms you get the rewards that come
from fitting in.