Beyond the FAQ: Explicit and implicit norms in Usenet newsgroups

Abstract

Drawing on reference group and socialization theories, this article examines the social norms of online communities. These theories are modified through an examination of the history of Usenet and a review of the scholarly literature related to social norms and normative behavior in Usenet newsgroups and other virtual communities. The article proposes a modification of Merton's paradigmatic division of norms into behavioral and attitudinal norms by dividing social norms found in online interactions into two types: explicit norms and implicit norms. Explicit norms are codified in documents such as FAQs that outline the purpose and rules of a group, whereas implicit norms are those norms that emerge informally through day-to-day interactions of the group. Both categories of norms are examined in two specific newsgroups.