VMBO Year 3 · Behaviour · Section 8.6

Human behaviour

Norms and values

Values are ideas about what people consider important, such as honesty or respect. Norms are behavioural rules or expectations associated with those values. People reflect on their own behaviour and judge others' behaviour, helping organise life in groups and societies.

• Value: respect for other people.
• Associated norm: do not insult someone.

A value is therefore a guiding idea, while a norm describes expected behaviour.

Differences between groups and over time

Norms and values vary between cultures, communities and individuals. They also change over time. Behaviour considered ordinary in one setting may be unusual or unacceptable in another. Understanding these differences helps explain human behaviour; it does not mean every practice must be accepted without question.

Social roles and expectations

People occupy different roles, such as student, friend, family member or employee. Each role carries expectations about behaviour. Together these form a role pattern. Expectations can conflict: a student with a part-time job may face competing demands to work and study for a test.

Examples of role patterns

• At school: listening, participating and completing assignments.
• At home: contributing to household tasks and considering other people.
• At work: arriving as agreed and carrying out responsibilities.

Role patterns can change. Expectations concerning men and women, for example, differ across societies and are less rigid in some settings than they were in the past.