Normative for Dummies

Let me give you an example to help you understand better. Imagine a group of friends deciding to go out for pizza. Now, when they go to the pizza place, they all have different preferences and tastes. Some may like cheese and pepperoni, while others prefer vegetables or even pineapple on their pizza (yes, some people actually like pineapple on pizza, even though it's quite controversial!). Each person has their own individual preference, which we could call their personal choice or opinion.

But usually, when a group of friends decides to order a pizza together, they try to find a type of pizza that everyone can agree on. They want to make sure that most people will be happy with the choice. So, they might discuss and consider what is normative or normal for pizza toppings, based on their shared experiences and cultural norms. For example, they might choose a pizza with a combination of cheese, pepperoni, and vegetables because that is commonly liked by many people. This choice aligns with what is normative or expected in their group or society.

Now, it's important to remember that norms can vary between different groups or societies. What is considered normative in one place may be completely different from what is considered normative in another. For example, in some cultures, it might be customary or normative to bow when greeting someone, while in other cultures, a handshake may be more typical. It's interesting to see how different norms can exist and shape how we interact with others.

So, to sum it up, normative refers to what is generally expected or accepted as the usual way of doing things in a particular situation or society. It's like following a common agreement or guideline that most people in that group or society tend to follow. Norms can help us understand how things are typically done and can influence our behavior and choices in various situations.