Which concept guides behavior by social rules and expectations about right conduct?

• A. Virtues
• B. Values
• C. Wants
• D. Norms

Answer: (D)

Norms guide behavior through social rules and expectations about what is right conduct within a group. They are the unwritten (or formalized) guidelines about how people should act in everyday situations—like how to greet someone, take turns, or dress for an occasion. Following norms helps communities run smoothly because people anticipate how others will respond and act accordingly. Norms can be formal, such as laws, or informal, like everyday courtesy, and they can vary across cultures and contexts. They differ from internal drives like virtues or values and from personal desires or wants, because norms describe outward expectations that shape behavior in social settings. When norms are followed, social harmony is maintained; when they are challenged, social pressure or disapproval often helps reestablish the expected conduct.