ABSTRACT
The third chapter reviews the characteristics of system-generated norms and how they are distributed across various systems. It consists of an exposé of different norm systems and how they are created and reproduced, beginning with the emergence of various theories of social systems, which is the norm system we primarily associate with norms. The concept of norms has developed from socio-psychological theories via game theory to sociological understanding.
One model (Christine Horn) explains the emergence of norms based in the fact that social and technological changes lead to cost/benefit allocations, which in combination with group pressure influence behaviour. Another theory built on the concept of change agents, thereby highlighting the importance of different actors in the emergence and reproduction of norms, is provided by Robert Elickson.
The section on social norms ends with a definition of norms based on ontological essences of the concept. These are (1) behavioural instructions (imperatives) that are (2) socially reproduced and (3) the individual’s understanding of expectations surrounding their own behaviour. This definition is general and holds even for cognitive systems´ normative expectations. These system-generated norms are distributed across various systems, as the socio-cultural systems, the political/administrative system, the economic system, the ecological system and biotic systems.
