According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "the customary rules that govern behavior in groups and societies, have been extensively studied in the social sciences are known as social norms. These social norms are often times seen as a type of grammar in a society. Without laws being implemented, social behavior within a society can often be just as powerful as law. Not too many people want to belong in a society as an outcast, so they will do whatever is necessary to become sociably accepted. Conformity is often necessary to stay alive and function within a society. .

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             The function of a social norm is to coordinate people's expectations in interactions that cause all influences to be canceled. Norms have a wide range of phenomena, including property rights, contracts, bargains, forms of communication, and concepts of justice. Norms impose very similar behaviors and attitudes within a given social group, but often vary substantially among groups. Over time norm shifts may occur, prompted either by changes in objective circumstances or by subjective changes in perceptions and expectations. The dynamics of this process can be modeled using evolutionary game theory, which predicts that some norms are more stable than others in the long run.

             The social norm behaviors within a society indicate the established and approved ways of doing things, dress, of speech and of appearance. These vary and evolve not only through time but also vary from one age group to another, and between social classes and social groups. What is deemed to be acceptable dress, speech or behavior in one social group may not be accepted in another. For example, in Compton, CA it would definitely not be acceptable for me to walk around wearing all red talking "ghetto because chances are I would get shot. But if an African American man was doing this he is probably accepted in this society, but me being Caucasian would prove to be very stupid to try this.