Norm Enforcement
People pay real costs to punish violators of shared expectations — criticism, exclusion, taste policing; the punishment sustains cooperation and also enforces norms that no longer serve anyone.
An everyday example
Colleagues mocking the first person to leave on time until nobody does.
What it can cost you
Complying with norms because of enforcement rather than merit; becoming an enforcer of rules you do not believe in.
Warning signs
- I comply to avoid the comments.
- I police others for things I do not care about.
One thing to do
Before punishing or complying, ask what the norm protects; if nothing, decline to enforce it and accept the cost of deviating.
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