Norm vs. Standard: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 11, 2023
A norm is a typical behavior or expectation within a group, while a standard is a set, often formal, criterion or measure.
Difference Between Norm and Standard
Norm and standard, though sometimes used interchangeably, possess different connotations and applications.
Muazma Batool
Sep 11, 2023
A norm typically refers to a behavior, practice, or expectation that is considered typical or standard within a particular group, culture, or society. It implies something that people usually do or believe in a given community or setting. For instance, in many cultures, it's the norm to shake hands upon greeting. This doesn't mean everyone does it, but it's a common and accepted behavior in that culture.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
On the other hand, a standard often has a more formal tone. It signifies an established measure or criterion against which something is judged or measured. For example, industries might set standards to ensure product quality and safety. While norms are more about unwritten societal expectations, standards usually come with a level of authority, often backed by institutions, governing bodies, or industries.
Muazma Batool
Sep 11, 2023
Furthermore, while both norms and standards guide behavior or performance, their breach garners different reactions. Deviating from a norm might result in social disapproval, whereas not meeting a standard could lead to official sanctions or penalties.
Leo
Sep 11, 2023
Interestingly, in certain contexts, the lines between norms and standards blur. For instance, in professional settings, what starts as a norm might eventually get codified into a standard. However, even in these cases, it's crucial to remember that standards tend to carry a higher weight and often have clear consequences tied to them.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
Norm vs. Standard Comparison Chart
Definition
A behavior typical in a group or society
A formal criterion or measure
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Sep 11, 2023
Examples
Cultural practices, societal behaviors
Industry requirements, quality benchmarks
Kaitlyn
Sep 11, 2023
Origin
Arises organically within groups
Set by governing bodies, institutions, or industries
Nolan
Sep 11, 2023
Norm vs. Standard Definitions
◉Norm
A guiding principle for behavior.
Generosity is a norm in many charitable organizations.
Jonathan
Sep 11, 2023
◉Standard
An established measure or criterion.
The product meets international safety standards.
Muazma Batool
Sep 11, 2023
◉Norm
An unwritten rule followed by members of a group.
It's a norm here to not discuss politics at family dinners.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
◉Norm
A recognized behavior or practice within a group.
In many societies, it's the norm to celebrate birthdays.
Kaitlyn
Sep 11, 2023
◉Standard
Serving as or conforming to an established or accepted measurement or value
a standard unit of volume.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A pattern or trait considered typical.
Working from home became the new norm during the pandemic.
Olivia
Sep 11, 2023
◉Standard
Widely recognized or employed as a model of authority or excellence
a standard reference work.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A pattern that is regarded as typical of something
a neighborhood where families with two wage-earners are the norm.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A standard or expectation that is established for a given enterprise or effort
journalistic norms.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A pattern of behavior considered acceptable or proper by a social group
violated the norms of his community.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
(Linguistics) Conforming to models or norms of usage admired by educated speakers and writers
standard pronunciation.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
An acknowledged measure of comparison for quantitative or qualitative value; a criterion.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
An object that under specified conditions defines, represents, or records the magnitude of a unit.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
To establish or judge in reference to a norm
normed the test on the basis of last year's results.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
The set proportion by weight of gold or silver to alloy metal prescribed for use in coinage.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
That which is normal or typical.
Unemployment is the norm in this part of the country.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A degree or level of requirement, excellence, or attainment
Their quality of work exceeds the standards set for the field.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A rule that is imposed by regulations and/or socially enforced by members of a community.
Not eating your children is just one of those societal norms.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Something, such as a practice or a product, that is widely recognized or employed, especially because of its excellence.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A sentence with non-descriptive meaning, such as a command, permission, or prohibition.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A set of specifications that are adopted within an industry to allow compatibility between products.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
(mathematics) A function, generally denoted or , that maps vectors to non-negative scalars and has the following properties: Category:en:Functions
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A long, tapering flag bearing heraldic devices distinctive of a person or corporation.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
An emblem or flag of an army, raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point in battle.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
(chess) A high level of performance in a chess tournament, several of which are required for a player to receive a title.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
A rule or authoritative standard; a model; a type; as, deviations from the norm are not tolerated.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
The large upper petal of the flower of a pea or related plant. Also called banner, vexillum.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical;
the current middle-class norm of two children per family
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
a statistic describing the location of a distribution;
it set the norm for American homes
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A shrub or small tree that through grafting or training has a single stem of limited height with a crown of leaves and flowers at its apex.
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May 03, 2023
◉Norm
An expected standard within a community.
It's the norm for students to complete their homework.
Muazma Batool
Sep 11, 2023
◉Standard
(Music) A composition that is continually used in repertoires
a pianist who knew dozens of Broadway standards.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Falling within an accepted range of size, amount, power, quality, etc.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
(of a tree or shrub) Growing alone as a free-standing plant; not trained on a post etc.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Having recognized excellence or authority.
standard works in history; standard authors
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Something used as a measure for comparative evaluations; a model.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A rule or set of rules or requirements which are widely agreed upon or imposed by government.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
The proportion of weights of fine metal and alloy established for coinage.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
(sociolinguistics) standard idiom, a prestigious or standardized language variety; standard language
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
An object supported in an upright position, such as a lamp standard.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
One of the upright members that supports the horizontal axis of a transit or theodolite.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A sturdy, woody plant whose upright stem is used to graft a less hardy ornamental flowering plant on, rather then actually planting it.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A tree of natural size supported by its own stem, and not dwarfed by grafting on the stock of a smaller species nor trained upon a wall or trellis.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
(shipbuilding) An inverted knee timber placed upon the deck instead of beneath it, with its vertical branch turned upward from that which lies horizontally.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A flag; colors; a banner; especially, a national or other ensign.
His armies, in the following day,On those fair plains their standards proud display.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
That which is established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality; esp., the original specimen weight or measure sanctioned by government, as the standard pound, gallon, or yard.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
That which is established as a rule or model by authority, custom, or general consent; criterion; test.
The court, which used to be the standard of propriety and correctness of speech.
A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
The proportion of weights of fine metal and alloy established by authority.
By the present standard of the coinage, sixty-two shillings is coined out of one pound weight of silver.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A tree of natural size supported by its own stem, and not dwarfed by grafting on the stock of a smaller species nor trained upon a wall or trellis.
In France part of their gardens is laid out for flowers, others for fruits; some standards, some against walls.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
An upright support, as one of the poles of a scaffold; any upright in framing.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
An inverted knee timber placed upon the deck instead of beneath it, with its vertical branch turned upward from that which lies horizontally.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Being, affording, or according with, a standard for comparison and judgment; as, standard time; standard weights and measures; a standard authority as to nautical terms; standard gold or silver.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Hence: Having a recognized and permanent value; as, standard works in history; standard authors.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
Not supported by, or fastened to, a wall; as, standard fruit trees.
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated;
they set the measure for all subsequent work
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
the ideal in terms of which something can be judged;
they live by the standards of their community
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
an upright pole or beam (especially one used as a support);
distance was marked by standards every mile
lamps supported on standards provided illumination
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind;
windows of standard width
standard sizes
the standard fixtures
standard brands
standard operating procedure
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
commonly used or supplied;
standard procedure
standard car equipment
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
established or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence;
a standard reference work
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Standard
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers;
standard English
received standard English is sometimes called the King's English
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May 03, 2023
◉Standard
A level of quality or achievement.
The singer set a new standard for live performances.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
◉Standard
A rule or guideline set by an authority.
The company has strict standards for employee conduct.
Elijah
Sep 11, 2023
◉Standard
An ideal or basis of comparison.
Her work is the gold standard in the industry.
Levi
Sep 11, 2023
Norm vs. Standard Frequently Asked Questions
Are norms universal?
No, norms can vary widely across different cultures, societies, and groups.
Muazma Batool
Sep 11, 2023
Why are societal norms important?
Norms provide a framework for expected behaviors and help maintain social order and cohesion.
Muazma Batool
Sep 11, 2023
Can something be a norm but not a standard?
Yes, many behaviors might be typical (norm) within a group but not set or mandated as a criterion (standard).
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Is a gold standard literal?
No, while it originates from a monetary system, "gold standard" often means the best or benchmark in various contexts.
Lucas
Sep 11, 2023
Do norms influence personal identity?
Yes, societal and cultural norms can play a significant role in shaping individual beliefs, behaviors, and identities.
Nolan
Sep 11, 2023
Do standards change?
While standards can be stable, they might evolve or change based on new information, technology, or requirements.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
Can an individual set a norm?
While individuals can influence norms, norms typically arise organically within larger groups or communities.
Jonathan
Sep 11, 2023
Who sets industry standards?
Typically, industry governing bodies, expert committees, or recognized institutions set standards.
Nolan
Sep 11, 2023
Why are industry standards crucial?
Standards ensure consistency, quality, and safety, fostering trust among consumers and stakeholders.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 11, 2023
How are standards enforced?
Standards are often enforced through official channels like inspections, certifications, or penalties.
Kaitlyn
Sep 11, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
