The visible and invisible rules of conduct through which societies are structured.

• A. Norms
• B. Sanctions
• C. Language
• D. Symbols

Answer: (A)

Norms are the shared expectations that guide how people should act in everyday life. They shape both visible behaviors, like etiquette, dress codes, and punctuality, and invisible ones, such as unspoken rules about how to speak to someone or when it’s appropriate to interrupt. Because norms are collectively endorsed, they help coordinate actions and keep social interactions predictable, creating the structure of a society without needing formal rules for every situation. Sanctions—rewards or punishments—work to reinforce these norms, but they are mechanisms for enforcement rather than the rules themselves. Language and symbols play a supportive role by communicating and signaling what the norms require, but the rules that organize conduct are norms.