2). What are the functions of norms in groups? Can you give a personal example not already discussed this week? Have you ever experienced a violation of a norm? Explain.
Group norms have rules of behavior that serve as a basis of functions that help develop the group. The way that I see it as is like a guide to navigate the members together to form the norms of the group. These functions are: shared values, procedures, and beliefs that will assist the members of the group with their communication and actions with one another. Depending on the situation and the group members present the norms can change.
An example where I have experienced violation of a group norm was a few years ago when I worked for Victoria Secret. In a work environment you expect everyone to work as a team and act professional while on the job. When I was first hired everything seemed to be going the way it should of. After being at the job for a year now, I was asking to be in charge of the shrink department. For those who do not know what “shrink” is, it is loss prevention for the store. Furthermore, I accepted the title and was working with a particular manager name Lisa. Now, Lisa and I were a great team and worked well together. Until, about four months after taking the title I then realized that Lisa was contributing to the store’s inside loss prevention. At this time she had violated to norms of our group. We had all worked so hard to keep the numbers low and not steal from the company. I had no other choice but to turn her in to the store manager because now she was violating the store policy and had to be let go. It was the right thing to do and myself and many of my co-workers felt as if she had violated our friendships and betrayed many of us because of her actions.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Sweetheart,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your read on group norms. I agree with the definition of having rules of behavior that serve as a basis of functions that help develop the group. It is knowing how to behave in different situations that you have or have not encounter. I also like the experienced you shared at work about a violation norm. That happens a lot and it is hard to turn someone in especially after having good teamwork and a great relationship. The manager did not just violate your group norm, but violated the bigger bosses also. I feel in that situation you did the right thing. I enjoyed your comments keep up the good work.
Your explanations of norms are very clear and simple. I enjoyed reading your blog about your violation of norms. I’m sorry you had to turn in your co-worker for what she was doing. It takes guts to tell your manager about your situation. I had a similar situation at my work place as well when one of my co-workers were drinking and doing drugs on the job. I couldn’t help but tell my boss about what was happening and he thanked me and let my co-worker go. It was hard letting a friend and co-worker go but it was safer for the kids we instructed and the members around us.
ReplyDelete