Effects Of Social Norms Research Articles

Interventions involving nudge theory for COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

New approaches to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake are urgently needed. Nudging has shown effective results in several health areas. However, the effectiveness of interventions involving nudge theory in increasing COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials published before December 31, 2022, to determine whether interventions involving nudge theory improved COVID-19 vaccination behavior and intent. Risk ratio (RR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as pooled measures to assess vaccination behavior. Intention to vaccinate was reported in a narrative synthesis. Sixteen randomized controlled trials involving 176,125 participants were included. Interventions involving nudge theory weakly boosted the COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate (RR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.07, 1.36], p < .01). Subgroup analysis showed a weak positive effect of social norms (RR = 2.04, 95% CI [1.61, 2.57]), defaults (RR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.03, 1.69]), and salient reminders (RR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.04, 1.36]). Nudge interventions integrating multiple components were more efficacious in increasing vaccination rates compared to nudge alone. The effect of nudging interventions weakened over time (p < .001). Most studies (10 of 11) involving vaccination intention outcomes showed positive or partially positive results. Interventions involving nudge theory can promote COVID-19 vaccination behavior and intentions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of Social Norms on Turnover Tax Collection among Micro and Small Enterprises in Meru Town, Kenya

The turnover tax has achieved a significantly low level of tax compliance since its introduction. This research examines social norms' impact on turnover tax collection among Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Meru Town, Kenya. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to evaluate the influence of social norms on tax compliance. An Analysis of 367 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between social norms and tax compliance (β = 0.149, p = 0.007). The report proposed promoting robust tax compliance standards and improving tax education programs via seminars and advertising.

Exploring the role of environmental literacy and social norms in farmers' LMTT adoption: evidence from China

PurposeClimatic changes caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions are an urgent challenge for all regions around the globe while the livestock sector is an important source of GHGs emissions. The adoption of low-carbon manure treatment technology (LMTT) by farmers is emerging as an effective remedy to neutralize the carbon emissions of livestock. This paper aims to incorporate environmental literacy and social norms into the analysis framework, with the aim of exploring the impact of environmental literacy and social norms on farmers' adoption of LMTT and finally reduce GHGs emission and climate effects.Design/methodology/approachThis research survey is conducted in Hebei, Henan and Hubei provinces of China. First, this research measures environmental literacy from environmental cognition, skill and responsibility and describes social norms from descriptive and imperative social norms. Second, this paper explores the influence of environmental literacy and social norms on the adoption of LMTT by farmers using the logit model. Third, Logit model's instrumental approach, i.e. IV-Logit, is applied to address the simultaneous biases between environmental skill and farmers’ LMTT adoption. Finally, the research used a moderating model to analyze feasible paths of environmental literacy and social norms that impact the adoption of LMTT by farmers.FindingsThe results showed that environmental literacy and social norms significantly and positively affect the adoption of LMTT by farmers. In particular, the effects of environmental literacy on the adoption of LMTT by farmers are mainly contributed by environmental skill and responsibility. The enhancement of social norms on the adoption of LMTT by farmers is mainly due to the leading role of imperative social norms. Meanwhile, if the endogeneity caused by the reverse effect between environmental skill and farmers’ LMTT adoption is dealt with, the role of environmental skill will be weakened. Additionally, LMTT technologies consist of energy and resource technologies. Compared to energy technology, social norms have a more substantial moderating effect on environmental literacy, affecting the adoption of farmer resource technology.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, a novel attempt is made to examine the effects of environmental literacy and social norms on the adoption of LMTT by farmers, with the objective of identifying more effective factors to increase the intensity of LMTT adoption by farmers.

Training entrepreneurs in culturally diverse countries. Influence of Social Norms on Entrepreneurial Intention

One of the most influential factors in people's lives is the place of birth. At the educational and employment level, our future is often determined by social and cultural factors associated with the country or region where we are born. This study explores the extent to which National Culture conditions the influence of Social Norms on the Entrepreneurial Intention of business students. We focus on the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour proposed by Ajzen and on Hofstede's dimensions of National Culture. To test our hypotheses we surveyed 352 business students at universities or business schools in seven countries with large cultural differences. The results of PLS analyses show that the effect of Social Norms on Entrepreneurial Intention is larger among individuals from national cultures with high Power Distance, low Individualism and Short-Term Orientation. These effects of national culture should be considered when designing entrepreneurship education programmes.

On the limited damp-proofing of residential buildings: do social norms matter?

PurposeThis study draws on neoclassical and behavioural economics theories to provide an empirical insight into the effect of knowledge, costs, and social norms on damp-proofing residential buildings in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the quantitative approach involving survey data. A sample size of 242 participants was involved in the study. Applying principal component analysis on the responses from the participants, an index for damp-proofing, cost, knowledge, and social norms was derived. After generating the indexes, the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was applied to estimate the impact of knowledge, costs, and social norms on damp-proofing.FindingsThe results from the OLS regression revealed that knowledge has a significant positive effect on damp-proofing while costs and social norms have significant negative effect on damp-proofing in Ghana. This study, therefore, concludes that although neoclassical economic factors such as knowledge and cost affect behaviour (damp-proofing), behavioural factors such as social norms also matter.Practical implicationsThe outcome of this study calls for policymakers to consider putting in place measures that increase knowledge and promote the use of damp-proofing techniques during the construction of buildings. In addition, the study calls for scholars to partake in collaborative research amongst disciplines such as economics, psychology, and the construction industry in order to provide more innovative solutions, the key of which is finding innovative ways to damp proof buildings.Originality/valueThis study is original in its context as it draws on neoclassical and behavioural economics theories to provide an empirical insight into the effect of knowledge, costs, and social norms on damp-proofing of residential buildings in Ghana. This is an area that has received less attention in the areas of building biology and building pathology globally.

What's the beef with gene editing? An investigation of factors influencing U.S. consumers’ acceptance of beef from gene-edited cattle

Gene-editing technology provides promising opportunities for livestock industries by enabling precise genetic modifications that enhance desirable traits such as increased disease resistance, heat tolerance, and nutritional quality. With gene-edited beef products entering the market soon, understanding consumers’ acceptance is critical. Using structural equation modeling, the study aimed to determine how key psychological and social factors influence U.S. consumers’ attitudes toward gene editing and their behavioral intentions toward ground beef from gene-edited cattle. Results indicate that knowledge, subjective social norms, and perceived benefits positively influenced attitudes, while perceived risks and food technology neophobia negatively influenced attitudes. Subjective social norms, perceived benefits, and attitudes positively influenced behavioral intentions, while perceived risks and food technology neophobia negatively influenced intentions. Attitudes acted as a partial mediator, significantly mediating the effects of subjective social norms, perceived benefits, perceived risks, and food technology neophobia on behavioral intentions. Improving consumers’ behavioral intentions toward ground beef from gene-edited cattle hinges on cultivating more favorable attitudes toward the technology. Thus, collaborative efforts by scientists, producers, policymakers, extension agents, and agricultural communicators should seek to increase consumers’ perceived benefits and improve subjective social norms, as these factors were most influential.

Testing the theory of normative social behavior in Italy and the USA during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of understanding how social norms influence preventative health behaviors across cultures. Based on the theory of normative social behavior (TNSB), this study investigates the direct and moderated effects of social norms on intentions to wear masks and practice social distancing cross-culturally during the peak of COVID-19 in 2020. Representative samples were recruited from the United States (N = 333) and Italy (N = 331), two countries with different cultural tightness-looseness and orientations (individualistic-collectivistic; indulgence-restraint; uncertainty avoidance). Results revealed that perceived descriptive norms directly influenced behavioral intentions in the U.S., while perceived injunctive norms were more influential in Italy. Outcome expectations moderated the relationship between descriptive norms and mask-wearing intentions in both countries. Specifically, as perceived benefits increased, the effect of norms on mask-wearing intentions attenuated in both countries. Group identity strengthened the association between descriptive norms and mask-wearing intentions only in Italy. These findings highlight that cultural differences play an important role in normative influence mechanisms, with the U.S. being more influenced by what others do (descriptive norms) and Italy by what others approve of (injunctive norms). The study contributes to the refinement of the TNSB and emphasizes the importance of considering cultural factors in developing effective norm-based interventions to address global health challenges.

The Effect of Professional Social Norms on Corporate Environmental Compliance

While previous studies demonstrate the importance of social norms for explaining the pro-environmental behavior of individual consumers, very few studies examine the role of social norms in the context of businesses’ pro-environmental decisions. This study contributes to the rich social norm literature by exploring whether professional social norms influence the compliance decisions of regulated chemical manufacturing facilities. To this end, the empirical analysis uses data on major facilities regulated under the U.S. Clean Water Act to estimate the link from the compliance history of other major chemical manufacturing facilities operating in the same state to an individual facility’s current compliance decision. Using a fixed-effects model that includes a large set of confounding factors, we find a significant positive effect of other facilities’ compliance history: improvement in the average compliance history prompts the individual facility to increase its own performance. By controlling for other plausible channels that link facility’s compliance decisions, we interpret this relationship as reflecting descriptive professional norms. The relationship proves stronger for facilities that are either geographically or sectorally closer.

Dynamic Norms and Vaping: A Test of Four Mediators

Background: The prevalence of vaping among young people is a public health crisis. Social norms can contribute to the problem, but also to the solution. Objective: The current study examined young adults’ responses to anti-vaping messages that varied on two features: social norms and behavioral framing. Methods: College students (N = 270) were randomly assigned to one of five conditions in a 2 (social norm: dynamic norm, static norm) X 2 (behavioral framing: vaping, not vaping) between-subjects factorial design with a no message control condition (n range = 49–58 in each condition). Results: Independent samples t-test, univariate analysis of variance, and structural equation modeling were used to test hypotheses and answer research questions. Results showed main effects of social norm, such that the dynamic (vs. static) norm message led to higher preconformity (p <.001) and self-efficacy (p = .012), and lower freedom threat (p = .040) and reactance (p < .001). There was also an indirect effect of dynamic norm on attitude as mediated by self-efficacy (p = .040). No main effect of behavioral framing was observed. Few interactions between social norm and behavioral framing were observed on preconformity (p < .001), anger (p < .001), and negative cognitions (p = .003). Conclusion: Overall, findings suggest a persuasive advantage for a dynamic norm relative to a static norm. Theoretically, these findings add to the literature suggesting the persuasiveness of dynamic norms. Practically, these results imply anti-vaping campaigns targeting young populations should communicate the changing (dynamic) norms in regard to (not) vaping.

The Effect of Social Norms on Value Added Tax Compliance among Small and Medium Enterprises in Embu Town

Despite the increasing need to raise the level of revenue collection, Kenya still faces the challenges of low tax compliance. The broad objective of the study was to determine the effect of social norms on value tax compliance among small and medium enterprises in Embu town, Kenya. The study was guided by social influence theory. The study adopted an explanatory research design and targeted a population was 1050 small and medium enterprises in Embu town. A sample size of 290 was drawn from this population and the response rate was 74%. Primary data collection was employed using closed structured questionnaires from study's objective. The data was analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. A correlation analysis conducted before testing for coefficients shows that there was a positive and significant linear relationship between social norms and value tax compliance r=0.696. The coefficient table indicates that social norms have a positive effect on VAT compliance β= 0.138 (p=0.006&lt;0.05). Based on the findings the study recommends that Kenya Revenue Authority integrate insights from behavioral economics into tax compliance theories. Explore how psychological factors such as social norms can be incorporated into models predicting taxpayer behavior. Further research may be conducted to investigate the effect of technology on VAT compliance.

The effect of environmental values, beliefs, and norms on social entrepreneurial intentions among Chinese university students

This study explores the factors influencing university students’ social entrepreneurial intentions based on the values-beliefs-norms theory. Data were collected from 769 Chinese university students through online surveys. The hypotheses were tested using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The results confirmed the positive influence of altruistic and traditional values on normative beliefs. Awareness of the consequences and attribution of responsibility had no significant effect on personal norms among university students, which have been discussed in-depth in relation to the phenomenon of inadequate student socialization due to closed-loop management policies at Chinese universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the findings verified the positive and significant effects of personal, injunctive, and descriptive social norms on social entrepreneurship intentions. With the aim of promoting social entrepreneurship among university students and broadening the understanding of the phenomenon of social entrepreneurs, this study provides a favorable direction and expands the discussion on the topic. The results will help the government and universities foster more effective prosocial behaviors among university students.

First Things First: Using Anchoring Bias to Examine the Effect of Penalty Severity and Social Norms on Tax Compliance

First Things First: Using Anchoring Bias to Examine the Effect of Penalty Severity and Social Norms on Tax Compliance

The effects of social capital and family income on farmers’ participation in rural public goods provision

Farmers' participation in rural public goods provision (PGP) is vital to improving rural public goods conditions and achieving rural revitalization in China. The factors influencing farmers' participation are, however, far from clear. This paper aims to investigate how social capital and income, the two most prominent factors, affect rural residents' participation in PGP. We use the Heckman sample selection model to empirically estimate the effects of both social capital and family income on farmers' participation and contribution to PGP based on a household survey conducted in four representative provinces in China. We further investigate the moderating effect of village location and elite ability on the effect of social capital on farmers' participation. Our results show that social capital generally has a positive impact on farmers' participation. Specifically, improving the formal norm, size of networks, and density of network would increase farmers' participation propensity. Enriching norms, particularly formal norms, can significantly improve farmers' contribution to public goods. Surprisingly, family income, mainly non-farm income, has a slightly negative effect on farmers' participation. Moreover, village-county distance can undermine the effect of social norms on farmers' participation, while elite ability can enhance the effect of social trust on farmers' participation. Thus, we suggest authorities should focus on enhancing social capital in the rural community to promote farmers’ participation in PGP.

'She Has The Heart!’ Communicative Strategies of the Linguistic Expressions of Illnesses in Jordanian Arabic and the Effect of Religion in Their Manifestation

This article explores how illnesses are linguistically expressed in Jordanian Arabic (JA). It also investigates the extent to which religion and social norms influence this expression. To this end, we collected authentic data from a number of interactions of JA speakers, particularly within interactive radio and TV programs addressing various life issues, where discussions about illness arise. A total of 834 linguistic expressions of illnesses were found and categorized according to the type of illnesses and the inflicted organ. Afterwards, we interviewed 13 participants to identify the major factors responsible for the use of the expressive strategies of illnesses in JA. Our results indicate that illnesses in JA are predominantly expressed by two distinct sets of expressive strategies: euphemistic expressive strategies (EESs) and non-euphemistic expressive strategies (NEESs). The former are used with cancer and mental health disorders and essentially include the replacement of the name of the illness with a religious expression or a conventional term. On the other hand, NEESs are used to express other illnesses (e.g., heart problems, diabetes, etc.). The effects of (folk) religious beliefs and social norms in determining the use of these expressive strategies are discussed. A number of implications for future research are highlighted.

Predicting attitude and intention to reduce food waste using the environmental values-beliefs-norms model and the theory of planned behavior

This study examined the role of biospheric and altruistic values in shaping pro-environmental beliefs, which can subsequently influence personal norms and lead to more positive attitudes and intentions regarding food waste reduction. Accordingly, the value, belief, and norm (VBN) theory and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) were integrated to develop the research model. Data were collected from 1,042 Chinese individuals. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis, complemented by multi-group analysis (MGA), to examine gender and education-related differences. Both biospheric and altruistic values have been found to contribute to the strengthening of pro-environmental beliefs. Personal norms are activated directly and indirectly through a causal chain of pro-environmental beliefs regarding food waste reduction. The positive effect of social norms on personal norms, attitudes toward food waste reduction, and food waste reduction intention indicates that individuals in social groups with food waste reduction practices internalize these norms and transform their attitude toward food waste reduction, reinforcing their intention to reduce food waste. Furthermore, the MGA results revealed that significant differences between gender subgroups emerged only for the relationship between biospheric and altruistic values of pro-environmental beliefs and social and personal norms. This study enriches the VBN and TPB frameworks by underlining their applicability and relevance in food waste reduction. Practically, this study guides tailored interventions, policy formulations, and educational campaigns that harness intrinsic motivations and leverage social norms to foster sustainable behavior toward food waste.

The gender minority stress model and/or cisnormativity? The need for pluralistic theoretical perspectives in improving trans health and medicine

The minority stress model has become a well-used framework to explain and analyse health among LGBTQ people, and specifically among transgender and gender-diverse people (TGD), when it is sometimes called ‘the gender minority stress model’. Scholars have argued the need for critical discussions about some of the assumptions underlying the gender minority stress model and how it has been used and discussed. Drawing on a pluralistic understanding of theories and employing a Foucauldian understanding of critique, we discuss implicit assumptions and epistemological standpoints of the gender minority stress model and the connected limitations. We also ask what the concept of cisnormativity can give rise to in comparison with the minority stress framework. We make four arguments: 1) the calls for extensions to the model could be seen as a desire to understand and analyse TGD people's health from an all-encompassing perspective, resulting in theoretical vagueness and the silencing of excluded aspects; 2) in the gender minority stress literature, identity is largely taken for granted and there is no consideration of how power is constitutive for all subjects; 3) the model risks individualising the effects of social norms, and internalisation could be further theoretically developed in relation to the repression hypothesis; 4) in the translation process from LGB minorities to TGD, as well as in thinking about cisnormativity, the issue of gender-affirming care has largely been neglected. By initiating a critical discussion around these issues and illustrating how different theories and frameworks can illuminate different possibilities for thinking and knowing, we aim to open up new routes for thinking about TGD health and medicine.

I'll have what She's having (but not what They're having): The moderating role of group membership in the effect of social norms on food choice in an online environment

The modern food-rich environment has contributed to the rise of unhealthy diets linked to noncommunicable diseases. Previous in-person research has found that the effect of social norms on food intake is greater when set by a perceived in-group member relative to an out-group member. Given recent increased social media use, we investigated whether this effect of group membership extends to food choices and to normative information presented remotely online. Participants (N = 179 female university students, 18–32 years) viewed a Facebook page pertaining to either their university (in-group) or a rival university (out-group). They were presented with either a healthy or an unhealthy norm via a post in which a student discussed their order at a café on the relevant campus. Food choice was assessed through an online menu where participants were asked to order one main, side, and dessert dish. As predicted, participants who viewed the healthy norm ordered a higher percentage of healthy items (especially in the desserts category) relative to those who viewed the unhealthy norm. However, this effect was significant only for those in the in-group condition; there was no such pattern for participants in the out-group condition. These findings provide insight into the role of group membership in the effect of social norms, and have practical implications regarding the design of identity-based social media health campaigns to promote healthier eating behaviours.

The effect of institutional characteristics and social norms on corruption in healthcare

AbstractCorruption in healthcare is widespread and consequential. Informal payments (IPs) are a common form of petty corruption, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Using data from the Life in Transition Survey encompassing 33 countries across Europe and Central Asia, I analyze the prevalence and reasons behind IPs made to public health providers. In addition to individual‐ and system‐level factors often used in literature, I also introduce a latent measure of social norms related to high levels of corruption. These are associated with a significantly higher prevalence of paying informally. This paper also bridges a gap between the corruption literature and health‐related research by introducing a typology of IPs based on why they were made. I find that the association between health system characteristics and IPs prevalence differs based on the reason for payment. This difference is further exacerbated by the existence of corruption‐related social norms. The results of this analysis highlight the need to revisit existing anti‐corruption policies and align them to the underlying social norms.

The Influence Of Audit Probability, Sanction Severity, And Social Norms On Enforced Tax Compliance With Patriotism As Moderation

This study aims to determine the effect of audit probability, sanction severity, social norms on enforced tax compliance with patriotism as a moderator variable. The object of this research is an individual who carries out independent work in Jakarta and its surrounding areaThis study uses primary data consisting of 200 respondents' answers that have been collected. This subject have choosed because their income is not always deducted from tax by withholding system, making it prone to tax fraud. Data analysis was performed using the Partial Least Square (PLS) model with the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method. The test results show that audit probability, sanction severity, social norms, patriotism partially have a significant positive effect on enforced tax compliance, while patriotism manages to moderate the effect of social norms on enforced tax compliance with a negative relationship. This indicates that a sense of patriotism is not the main element that moderates tax compliance. Although patriotism directly affects tax compliance. The Government should have law enforcement policy to taxpayers dan build social norms which encourage taxpayers to obey their tax obligation.

The Effect of Social Norms on Residential Insecticide Use.

Insecticide products are widely used in homes around the world, despite concerns about their adverse health effects. Variations in insecticide use levels can stem not only from differences in environmental conditions, but also from societal factors. This study investigates the impact of religiosity on insecticide use in Jewish households, hypothesizing that religious families might use more insecticides because insects are considered taboo in Judaism. Data from interviews with 70 families, examining their insecticide use, exposure to pests, aversion to cockroaches, and other predisposing factors, revealed that despite similar levels of pest exposure, religious families reported higher insecticide use and greater aversion to cockroaches. Multiple linear regression analysis identified religiosity as the primary predictor of insecticide use, followed by pest exposure levels. The elevated insecticide use among religious Jewish families may stem from several factors, with the Jewish categorization of insects as "impure animals" that should be strictly avoided likely playing a crucial role in promoting insecticide use. Understanding how attitudes toward insects influence insecticide use across different societies is crucial for health and environmental authorities to develop novel insecticide-reduction initiatives that will be tailored to the unique social characteristics of various communities.