Shared expectations shape behavior
Compare perceptions of what people usually do with expectations about what they approve.
The picture in words
- Descriptive norm
- What people are perceived to commonly do.
- Injunctive norm
- What people are perceived to approve or expect.
- Context
- A relevant group and setting define the expectation.
Reading the illustration
Compare the quiet behavior with the quiet-zone sign. One suggests what commonly happens; the other communicates what is expected or approved.
Try a question
How could a quiet library communicate both kinds of norm?
Show the explanation
Seeing people speak softly suggests what is common there. A quiet-zone sign states an expected standard of behavior.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/12-4-conformity-compliance-and-obedienceSelected rendered passages: Compliance/normative/informational influence passages.
- Cialdini and colleagues: Managing social norms for persuasive impact (2006). (n.d.). https://www.fs.usda.gov/psw/publications/winter/psw_2006_winter001.cialdini.pdfSelected PDF extracted text: Title/abstract and introductory norm distinctions; selected methods context also surfaced.