the implicit or explicit rules a group has for the acceptable behaviors, values, and beliefs of its members

Expected standards of conduct that influence behavior. go to glossary index

Guidelines provided by every culture for judging acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

expectations about an individual's behaviour or beliefs that can be attributed to others who are emotionally important in the individual's life.

Social norms are people's beliefs about the attitudes and behaviors that are normal, acceptable, or even expected in a particular social context. In many situations, people's perception of social norms will greatly influence their behavior. Therefore, when people misperceive the norms of their group - that is, when they inaccurately think an attitude or behavior is more (or less) common than is actually the case - they may choose to engage in behaviors that are consistent with those false norms.

A group or community?s unwritten rules that govern its members? behavior, attitudes, and beliefs.