criterion, standard, norm

Question

Hi,criterion, standard and norm are synonymous and interchangeable?King

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

norm

1 : an authoritative standard : MODEL
------
IMO, in this meaning standard and norm are interchangeable; not criterion.

For other meanings look in the M-W online dictionary.
http://www.m-w.com

Greatking · Answer

Hi,

Are criterion and standard interchangeable in these cases? Why?

1. What criteria are used for assessing a student's ability? (a)

= What standards are used for assessing a student's ability? (b)

=What norms are used for assessing a student's ability? (c)

2.People were very poor then, by today's standards. (d)

=People were very poor then, by today's criteria. (e)

=People were very poor then, by today's norms. (f)

3. Criminal behavior seems to be the norm in this neighbourhood. (g)

= Criminal behavior seems to be the criterion in this neighbourhood. (h)

=Criminal behavior seems to be the standard in this neighbourhood. (i)

King

Marius Hancu · Answer

GreatkingHi,

Are criterion and standard interchangeable in these cases? Why?

1. What criteria are used for assessing a student's ability? (a) OK

= What standards are used for assessing a student's ability? (b) OK

=What norms are used for assessing a student's ability? (c) Less used, IMO.

2.People were very poor then, by today's standards. (d) Yes.

=People were very poor then, by today's criteria. (e) No.

=People were very poor then, by today's norms. (f) No.

3. Criminal behavior seems to be the norm in this neighbourhood. (g) Yes.

= Criminal behavior seems to be the criterion in this neighbourhood. (h) No.

=Criminal behavior seems to be the standard in this neighbourhood. (i) No.

You just need to accumulate experience in order to distinguish between possible and impossible usage.

Greatking · Answer

Can you tell me the clear difference in meaning btw these 3 words? I can't distinguish when I should use standard, when I should use norm, when I should use criterion.

King

OoPAPERoo · Answer

Me too.

Formlit · Answer

GreatkingHi,

Are criterion and standard interchangeable in these cases? Why?

1. What criteria are used for assessing a student's ability? (a)

= What standards are used for assessing a student's ability? (b)

=What norms are used for assessing a student's ability? (c)

2.People were very poor then, by today's standards. (d)

=People were very poor then, by today's criteria. (e)

=People were very poor then, by today's norms. (f)

3. Criminal behavior seems to be the norm in this neighbourhood. (g)

= Criminal behavior seems to be the criterion in this neighbourhood. (h)

=Criminal behavior seems to be the standard in this neighbourhood. (i)

King

1) I think the first two are more or less the same. The last one really doesn't, because the norms would be the typical (average) ability of the student. I think the norms of any group is more a statement of fact rather than a basis for a judgement call.
2) I think all of these are more or less the same. By criteria, I would assume there is a formally defined list of what it means to be poor and you can decide that other people are poor based on that. By standards, I would assume you are judgeing by the typical standard of living. Same for norms.
3) g and i makes sense, but h doesn't make sense to me. By norm, I would assume there is a history of criminal behavior in this neighbourhood. By standard, I would assume that everyone indulges in some sort of criminal behavior. h doesn't really make sense because it is a statement, and I've only seen criterion used when someone is makeing a judgement of some type.

Goodman · Answer

GreatkingHi,

criterion, standard and norm are synonymous and interchangeable?

King

No, I don't think so.

To me, [Criterion] doesn’t come to [standard] in meaning .

One of the criteria for this position is that the applicant must have a BS degree. In this context, [criteria], the plural form of criterion, means important requirements.

Standard is a recognized or accepted model of something. i.e. moral standard, standard of English.

Meaning of [norm] is sometime misunderstood as [standard]. Although it may seem to have similar meaning in some contexts, a [norm] however is a trend. i.e. As technology advances, shopping on line is become the norm for the younger shoppers.

Does this help?

Anonymous · Answer

Could you come up with a list of criteria for determining what meets the standards for the 'Norm'.

criterion, standard, norm

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

norm

Related Questions