What's the difference between injunctive norms and descriptive norms?

What is the major difference between ethical norms in general and social or psychological norms?

• Answer:

  Most would say that all norms are social norms so there would be no difference. Still... Social norms are by definition, built by social interaction. No one creates them, they are the result of social mores. Perhaps based on biological needs or geographical limitations but basically arbitrary in their outcome. So it is useful to talk about cultural norms, which would be a subset of norms that help us deal with everyday activities like dressing, or eating, or generally behaving is social settings. Those we call 'manners'. Ethical norms are a special subset, usually one that deals with events that are not ordinary. Ethics is best understood at the workplace, where some behaviors can be detrimental to the work environment. I don't think there is a group of norms that can be defined as 'psychological'. Norms are imposed from the outside to us since we are kids and though they will be assimilated and considered as 'my own' they would still be social, that is, not a product of ones own mind. Now, if you mean to say moral norms, then these could be seen as being the same as ethical norms but addressing personal decisions like sex before marriage or abortion or telling lies.