Implicit Norms

Implicit norms are the "unwritten," and generally understood and agreed upon, rules that play a significant role in the lives of group members. These rules are informal and not official rules but most people adhere to them naturally.

For example, the implicit norms that have come to exist surrounding the use of ATMs; staying well behind the person using the ATM or even remaining in your car until the person currently using it is finished, not looking at the screen when they enter their information, etc. No one has ever set these rules down in writing, they are just understood. Another example of an implicit norm is standing facing forward in a crowded elevator of strangers. Although there is no written rule stating that you should face forward in an elevator it would be rare to see someone facing backwards!