Final answer:
Values are cultural standards for what is considered good and just in society, and play a pivotal role in shaping individual beliefs and behaviors. Reference groups influence personal values, and social norms set expectations for behavior within a society. Normative political science examines the underlying values of political systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Values are ways of behaving or end-states that are desirable to a person or to a group. These are the standards that a culture or individual holds to discern what is good, just, and important in society, and are critical for transmitting and teaching a culture's beliefs. For example, the belief in the American Dream is supported by the value that wealth is good and important.
A reference group is a group whose values, norms, and beliefs serve as a standard for one's own behavior. This can greatly influence personal attitudes and the way individuals behave in various situations.
Social norms are the visible and invisible rules of conduct through which societies are structured; these define the expectations for appropriate thoughts and behaviors of its members. Mores are types of norms that embody the moral views of a group, often with serious consequences for violations.
In the field of political science, normative approaches seek to understand the meanings, purposes, and goals behind political structures and behaviors, analyzing the values that underpin political systems.