Evaluation of the Dutch Integration Course for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

When developing a group the norms of the group can ultimately determine the therapeutic outcome for the group (Yalom, 2005). Norms are formed by the leader’s behavior and the group’s expectations (Yalom, 2005). The norms are the standard social behavior for the group. This would include acceptable behavior and typical conduct of the group members.

This paper will address what social norms entail and what role they play within a society.

Implementing norms in group settings can be extremely difficult. A Norm is a guideline or an expectation for behavior (Karten,2003). Since norms can constantly change, those in a team dynamic should decide when those norms have been violated. Many norms form and operate without team members being consciously aware of it. Team members naturally want to put their best foot forward and have their behavior reflect a positive image. Although many positive behaviors can happen naturally, a team can decide to intentionally set up a list of norms for every member to follow. In addition to the long-term benefits establishing guidelines offers, the act of setting norms itself can be a team-building activity which unites its members.

Social norms are powerful to the point that they influence the actions of all who are members of society. Social norms are so ingrained in most people that to not follow such untold rules of behavior, likely creates serious tension for oneself. Social norms appear to be unique to sentient life meaning something about intelligence helps in their formation and propagation. It is obvious that some level of greater intelligence is needed in the formation of social norms. There are many theories on the purpose of social norms and how they come to be. The theory that emphasizes the importance of social norms in improving interactions between people seems the most probable. This theory explains that those with diverse backgrounds must often interact and communicate with each other and to reduce the risk of misunderstanding, social norms arise as a form of mediation. Social norms can therefore come into being both formally or informally. When social norms are constructed formally, a group of individuals will specifically outline a set of behavioral expectations for that group such as in the case of clubs or work expectations. Most social norms are informally created through repeated cautionary actions used to mitigate potential conflict. When a social norm is formed, it has incredible staying power. As social norms promote some degree of social cohesion, people generally follow social norms for fear of inconveniencing someone or upsetting them. There is also a degree of

The Wall Street Journal article speaks upon social norms and how they come about. In the beginning of the article Wang analyzes how behavior is developed by what people deem to be appropriate, desirable, and correct. She goes on to indicate that psychologists are examining how, “the often-unspoken rules of a group, shape not just our behavior but also our attitudes.” She signifies how norms contribute to a central human social purpose, assisting us on who is in the group or who is merely an outsider to the norm. Wang informs us that little is known about how attitudinal norms are initiated in groups. Surprisingly, researchers say that those who devise the trend or norm are usually isolated from the group, being apart of the group might restrict one’s potential. Wang enlightens the reader that group pressure is a forceful pressure over health behaviors, for example, drug use and alcohol use. There is also another side to adapting into these social norms. Wang argues that, “observation of others' behavior can also result in misperceptions of the norm, which in turn can cause the actual norm

ocial mores, or norms, refer to the socially/morally constructed rules/laws prescribing a people’s conduct. Essentially, social norms promote social influence and conformity by prescribing accepted standards of behavior in a given social group. Such groups may range from friendships, works groups, colleagues to nations.

Norm is a sociologically accepted pattern of behavior, which is used in society in a specific context. Norms are usually presented as informal understandings that are not written in laws or regulations, but they are accepted orally. Norms, however, could be changed in the course of time due to the shifts in social, political, and cultural life.

There is unity: group identity is complete, group morale is high, and group loyalty is intense. The task function becomes genuine problem solving, leading toward optimal solutions and optimum group development. There is support for experimentation in solving problems and an emphasis on achievement. The overall goal is productivity through problem solving and work.

At the beginning of this course, students were made to understand the importance and benefits of working in groups and by week 3 of the semester, 2 groups were formed and my group consists of 6 members with different nationalities. We have 3 Germans, 1 Nigerian, 1 from PNG and 1 Chinese showing the diversity in the group, although we had more Germans in the group. The group members and their nationalities are as follows:

Norms are the rules and regulation that a group lives by. It is accepted in ways of doing things- rules developed by a group of people that specify how people must, should, May, should not, and must not behave in various situations. There are three types of norms such as Folkway which often referred as customs. The standard behavior that are socially approved but not morally significant with less consequences. Mores is a strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior, it is based on definitions of right and wrong. Lastly,

By pointing out when someone violates a norm, the team helps keep its performance on track To the extent that team members can rely on norms to shape behavior, the team may experience less uncertainty and more efficiency in how work gets done. For example, a norm about what constitutes timely completion of tasks may help focus individual efforts. Because people act in accordance with norms, their behavior can become predictable and provide stability to the

Theorists have agreed, within their own disciplines, on either specific definitions of or even what distinguishes a rule from a social norm (Gibbs, 1965; Shimanoff, 1980). In general, norms differ from rules in that the latter are more formalized through codification and are prescriptive and controllable. Rules are punishable through external sanctions applies by other members of the group or designated authority outside of the social aggregate (Gibbs, 1965, 1972). A norm is an abstract idea of a behavior held in the mind of the group member that sets certain limits for acceptable behavior (Johnson,

A social norm is a specified code of conduct that is acceptable within a society or group. These norms include both appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that are expected of individuals under given circumstances (Lewis, 1969). They are neither static nor universal as they keep on changing with time and vary with respect to culture, class and groups. There are two different types of social norms, namely behavioral or descriptive norms and attitudinal or injunctive norms. Descriptive norms are defined as actions and behaviors that are depicted by individuals in a social group setting. These norms are informal and originate from the day to day social interactions hence are neither enforced by the justice system nor other formal bodies (Cook, 2003).Behavioral norms attract no social sanctions for non-conformity with the norms. Injunctive norms on the other hand are beliefs and expectations of how individuals or people should behave within a group setting under given situations. Individuals tend to conform to attitudinal norms out of fear of possible interdictions as a result of not following them.

2. In my opinion, groups norms should be established when a group first meets by the group leader. This will

What are the functions of norms in groups? Using examples of your small group interactions in your current or previous workplaces, discuss some norms you observed. How did you identify these norms? How did you adapt to these norms?