THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SOCIAL NORMS AND INTERNAL VALUES: THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN SOCIETY

Abstract

The sustenance of an individual's life as a social being necessitates both adaptation to societal norms, which are generally accepted rules, and the development of a lifestyle consistent with one's internal values. However, inevitable conflicts can occasionally arise between social norms and the values internalized by the individual. These conflicts can disrupt the individual's psychological equilibrium, paving the way for the development of various mental health issues. This review aims to comprehensively examine, from a social psychology perspective, the nature of the conflict between social norms and internal values, its effects on the individual, and the role of this conflict in the etiology of psychological disorders. Following an exploration of the definitions of norms and values, their formation processes, and their functions for the individual and society, potential incompatibilities and sources of conflict between these two constructs are detailed. The psychodynamic mechanisms of conflict are analyzed, particularly in light of cognitive dissonance, self-discrepancy, and stress theories. The role of norm-value conflict as a potential risk factor in the development of various psychopathologies, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and stress-related disorders, is discussed based on existing literature findings. The individual's coping strategies for these conflicts, the importance of social support systems, and protective factors for mental health are also evaluated. The theoretical inferences derived are supported by recommendations that could contribute both to interventions aimed at enhancing psychological well-being at the individual level and to the creation of a more harmonious and healthy living environment at the societal level.