What's a Norm?

Sociologists study things called "norms."

For now, note that norms are rules for behavior.  There are norms about really important things, as well as norms about more trivial things.  So, there are norms prohibiting murder, and norms that say you should cover your nose and mouth whenever you cough or sneeze.

How many of you remember to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze?

Another sort of thing that interests sociologists is how norms change.

What did the video we watched in class show you about attempts to change a norm?