Word: normative (adjective)

Associations

"Normative" relates to setting, establishing, or describing norms, rules, or standards—what is considered normal or expected in behavior, thought, or practice.

• In ethics: "Normative ethics" studies how people should act morally, setting standards for right and wrong.
• In linguistics: "Normative grammar" describes the rules of correct language use.
• In social sciences: "Normative behavior" means behavior that follows social norms or expectations.

Synonym: "Prescriptive" is close to "normative," but "prescriptive" often means giving direct instructions or commands, while "normative" is broader, referring to norms or standards whether stated as commands or not.

Substitution

You can sometimes replace "normative" with:

• "standard" (focuses on what is usual or accepted)
• "prescriptive" (focuses on rules telling what should be done)
• "typical" (focuses on what commonly happens) Note: Each substitution changes the meaning slightly. For example, "standard" is more neutral about rules, while "normative" often involves value judgments about what ought to be.

Deconstruction

• Root: "norm" (meaning a standard or rule)
• Suffix: "-ative" (an adjective suffix meaning "related to" or "tending to") "Normative" literally means "related to norms or standards."

Inquiry

• Can you think of examples in your life where normative rules guide behavior (like school rules or cultural customs)?
• How does "normative" differ from simply describing what people do? Why might it be important to study what people should do instead?
• How might "normative" be used differently in law versus everyday conversation?