One way in which a group becomes cohesive is through the development of group ‘norms’, that is the standards of behaviour and attitudes to which the group abides – the groups rules.  All groups have a set of norms they may apply to everyone in the group or to certain members only. Some norms may be strictly observed, whilst others may be more flexible.

As a group develops, these norms help to minimise individual differences in personality.  Norms operate at the group level rather than at the individual level. Group norms usually operate to maintain the group and preserve its integrity, rather than to check individual actions.

Group norms may be explicitly set out in a constitution.  In this case, a new group member would be given a list of rules and regulations, aims and objectives.  This is most likely to be standard practice in a long-standing group.  However, group norms evolve over a period of time and in newly formed-groups, they are often unspoken or implicit.  A new member of a group will gradually become aware of what the group norms are and will usually make an attempt to alter their behaviour to conform to the norms.  One obvious group norm is the wearing of a uniform or having hair styled in a distinctive way – in certain groups it may be appropriate to wear a suit for example. If members conform to the identity and norms of that group, it shows that they belong.

When members habitually refuse to conform to the group norms, they may become marginalised within a group or in extreme cases, expelled. When disruptive members are not expelled, this may lead to the breakdown of the entire group or to a major restructuring of norms and values.

In well-established groups it may be appropriate to occasionally look at the norms from an objective point of view. Do the norms help the progress of the group?  It may be discovered that certain norms hold back progress within a group and therefore should be examined. Do all group members understand the norms, are norms consistently broken?

These questions may lead to norms being listed in a formal way – a group constitution.  If norms are consistently being broken, then perhaps they are not appropriate for the group.