What sociological concept best describes groups with their own norms differing from mainstream society?

The concept that best describes groups with their own norms that differ from mainstream society is subcultures. Subcultures are formed when a group of people shares distinct values, beliefs, and behaviors that set them apart from the larger culture in which they exist. While they may have their own unique norms, they generally coexist alongside the dominant culture and do not necessarily oppose it overtly.

Subcultures can encompass a wide range of groups, including communities based on interests, lifestyles, and identities, and members often find a sense of belonging through shared experiences and cultural practices. Examples include goths, hip-hop enthusiasts, or skateboarders, each exhibiting specific fashion, music preferences, and social dynamics.

Countercultures, on the other hand, often actively reject and oppose the dominant culture's values and norms, seeking to create an alternative set of beliefs that can radically challenge societal expectations. Social classes refer to divisions based on economic status and access to resources, which do not inherently describe differences in norms. Peer groups are smaller groups of individuals who share common interests and provide social interaction, but they do not represent broad cultural distinctions in the same way that subcultures do.