Conflicts between norms are categorized as which type?

• A. Type 1
• B. Type 2
• C. Type 3
• D. Excessive force

Answer: (C)

Conflicts between norms occur when two prescriptions in different norms pull you in opposite directions in the same situation. Type 3 captures those clashes that come from crossing normative boundaries—norms that originate from different systems or levels, such as law, professional ethics, and community or moral expectations. When norms from these distinct sources disagree, you can’t satisfy all of them at once, so you must weigh which obligation takes precedence or tolerate a tension between them.

This makes Type 3 the best answer because it describes the situation where the conflict is not just a clash within one system or between closely related norms, but a cross-system dilemma. In policing and society, you frequently see this: a legal rule may demand one course of action, while professional ethics or community norms push for a different approach. Recognizing this cross-boundary nature explains why the situation becomes a genuine moral or practical dilemma rather than a straightforward rule-following scenario.