Norms

Injunctive norms are the behaviors that are distinguished in a society as being approved of by other people. Cultures vary in what is considered acceptable behavior. Injunctive norms help members of a given culture know what certain behaviors should be performed. An injunctive norm is an unwritten rule that society approves or disapproves of. For example Americans are usually expected to look people in the eyes when they talk to them out of respect. But in Asian cultures they will avert their eyes because looking someone in the eyes is considered an act of disrespect.

Descriptive norms are the actual behaviors that people perform that can be approved or disapproved. Descriptive norms can motivate people by informing people about what is effective and adaptive behavior. Even though people know what is approved or disapproved expectations in their society they still have a tendency to perform the opposite that makes the behavior unacceptable. For example a norm in America that is considered acceptable would be texting friends with informative messages, but a not acceptable norm is sexting.

The norm that people would be more likely to conform to is injunctive norms. Injunctive norms have a much higher cooperation when there is a strong bond or network with others that belong to a certain social group. To maintain identity within that selected group members strive to keep cohesiveness by injunctive norms that are recognized by that group. Social influence from other members plays a big role in people’s perceptions and the response to certain actions. Peer pressure is a strong influencer to persuade someone to engage in risky behaviors. If a group supports saving the earth not littering would be the injunctive norm for that group. If a group supports doing drugs than using drugs would be the injunctive norm for that group. Every culture has social norms that are acceptable in that particular culture. What is viewed in one country can be viewed differently in another country. For example in the United States of America the American flag is a symbol of freedom, individual liberty, patriotism, and the Constitution but in England the American flag symbolizes rebellion, disapproval of the monarchy and the American breakage away from England and its king’s rule.