Focus Theory Of Normative Conduct Research Articles

The Focus Theory of Normative Conduct and Employees’ Projected Use of Work-Life Policies

The Focus Theory of Normative Conduct and Employees’ Projected Use of Work-Life Policies

Understanding the determinants of households’ intention to practise solid waste segregation-at-source: Theoretical framework development

Purpose: The level of the environment is gradually declining, especially with regard to the serious problem of solid waste. Solid waste segregation-at-source is seen as the most essential approach to helping the natural environment minimize the amount of waste generated before being transferred to waste disposal sites and landfills in many rapidly growing towns and cities in developing countries. However, a number of previous environmental-based research have focused only on the general scope of recycling, sustainable development, and the purchase intention for sustainable food products. This situation has led to useful and relevant information on the research scope of households’ intention to segregate solid waste at source, which remains largely unanswered. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to provide a literature review to develop a novel theoretical framework in understanding the determinants of households’ intention to practise solid waste segregation-at-source. Theoretical framework: The study provides a detailed explanation of the application of the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Fietkau-Kessel Model, the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct, and the Value-Basis Theory to predict the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, environmental concerns, and environmental knowledge of households on intention to practise solid waste segregation-at-source. Design/methodology/approach: This research is descriptive in nature. Findings: A better understanding of the potential mediator and moderator is needed to contribute to the body of knowledge on the causal relationship between the studied variables. In conclusion, the researchers discuss how the framework can be used to address future research implications as more evidence emerges. Research, practical and social implications: The current study is expected to broaden previous research in order to improve general understanding of attitudes and subjective norms towards the specific research scope of solid waste segregation-at-source.

Spillover of Social Norms at Work On Employees’ Self-Reported Private Sphere Pro-Environmental Behaviour: A Mixed Method Investigation

AbstractThis article draws on the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct to examine whether injunctive social norms relating to perceived environmental management practices shape employees’ self-reported pro-environmental behaviour in their private sphere. To test our hypotheses, we employed a mixed methods research approach that involved a cross-sectional analysis and a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental field study in the German tourist industry. Our results verify the context-bridging influence of perceived environmental management practices on employees’ self-reported private sphere pro-environmental behaviour. Further, they reveal that this relationship is partially mediated by descriptive social norms among co-workers. Thereby, our findings shed light on a thus far neglected dynamic between injunctive and descriptive social norms that constitutes a pathway for contextual spillover. Our study thus challenges the prominent proposition that the influence of injunctive social norms remains restricted to contexts in which the norm is currently salient. The results further develop existing theory by demonstrating how a dynamic interaction between injunctive and descriptive norms can support the emergence and dissemination of social norms across contexts and they reveal how businesses can shape this process.

What leads underage teenagers to ride motorcycles without a permit? Utility vs parental permissiveness

ObjectivesIllegal motorcycle riding among teenagers often results in crashes and disastrous consequences; however, it is rampant in many low and middle-income countries. This article seeks to elucidate the factors that lead to this behaviour, and why parents permit it. MethodsThe study relies on a survey of 832 parents of adolescents (16 to 18 years old) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These data are modelled based on a new conceptual framework which combines elements of the Technology Acceptance Model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct with a few tailored constructs and four relevant control variables (age, gender, income, and home-school distance). The underlying latent factors were derived through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Subsequently, binary logit regression and ordinal logit regression were applied to model the illegal use of motorcycles and the parental intention to permit this behaviour. ResultsWe find that 61% of teenagers – older boys from wealthier families in particular – use motorcycles illegally. They do so because their parents see motorcycles as useful and easy to use. Besides, parents enable unpermitted riding because it is socially acceptable to do so, and that is what teens prefer. A perception of weak road rule enforcement is another facilitator while perceived crash risk is an impediment. ConclusionsInterventions and solutions to prevent the illegal use of motorcycle are necessary. The goal is to improve safety rather than penalize teens for using motorcycles. A reasonable and effective approach would be to change the law to allow teenagers as young as 16 to ride motorcycles – but only after a period of rigorous training and testing to ensure safety.

Employing satire and humor in facing a pandemic

AbstractThis research employs the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct to convey howThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertemploys humor and satire with the aim of providing information, proffering injunctive norms, and modifying attitudes and subjective norms in its public audience, while exposing the inefficacy of behavioral controls and urging public authorities to adopt effective ones instead. In the earlier stages of the pandemic in the US, theShowprimarily appealed to people to change their behavior through providing information, invoking injunctive norms and affiliations, foregrounding appropriate attitudes and subjective norms; at the same time, its repertoire included social and political satire drawing on organizational and institutional mechanisms of behavioral control. As the health crisis became increasingly politicized, theShowredirected its satire to policies and political figures and sought to change the behavior of policymakers in setting proper role models and adopting wiser behavioral controls to lead the nation through the crisis. Meanwhile, individual responsibility was never spared in satiric attempts to change behavior as theShowcontinued to provide its audience with new scientific information and encouraged them to follow scientific recommendations.

Replicating the focus theory of normative conduct as tested by Cialdini et al. (1990)

In developing the focus theory of normative conduct (FTNC), Cialdini et al. (1990), proposed and demonstrated that social anti-littering norms reduced littering in 1) clean environments (signaling that others did not litter) and 2) by adding a single piece of litter to an otherwise clean environment. The assumption was that the single piece of litter would focus people's attention on the descriptive anti-littering norm, signaling that others did not litter. Despite the profound influence of Cialdini et al.‘s (1990) paper, no attempt to replicate this “single piece of litter” effect has been reported. In two high powered and pre-registered field-experiments and one online experiment (ntotal = 1798), we attempted to replicate and then examine the processes behind both descriptive anti-littering norms and the single piece of litter effect. Results first supported FTNC by replicating less littering in clean compared to littered environments. Second, replications of the single piece of litter effect ran contrary to the original finding, showing as much littering in environments including a single piece of litter as in fully littered environments. Hence, littering increased rather than decreased by adding a single piece of litter in an otherwise clean environment. Supporting some theoretical assumptions of the FTNC, a follow-up experiment showed increased salience of an anti-littering norm and a perceived descriptive norm against littering in a single-piece-of-litter compared to a clean environment. However, in line with findings from our replications, the injunctive anti-littering norm appears to weaken as litter accumulates.

Littering behaviour: A systematic review

AbstractLittering is a widespread problem that has negative consequences for the wellbeing of society and has been discussed in a wide range of subject areas. However, the lack of a unified understanding of the literature on littering presents an opportunity for a synthesis of the literature. This systematic review integrated the findings from 70 journal articles spanning 48 years. The articles were analysed for use of theories, models, methods, locations of study, variables and study findings. The researchers also undertook a content analysis of the literature to understand the evolution of approaches across time. The findings show that situational and psychological factors have often been studied using the ‘Focus Theory of Normative Conduct’ and the ‘Integrative Behaviour Model’. However, the findings have been inconsistent, with varying results for some of the situational, psychological and administrative factors. The content analysis identified that the literature from 1971 to 2006 was mostly confined to developed countries (80%) with the majority of studies examining situational and psychological factors. The gaps in the literature provided a basis for proposing five future research directions including the development of social marketing interventions by improving the theoretical groundings of previous works. As littering is consumer behaviour, it is also important to investigate the role of businesses as an integral part of the consumer exchange process to assist in improving the situation. The detailed future research directions and the conclusions of the review are presented.

Referent group specificity: Optimizing normative feedback to increase residential recycling

Research has shown that messages containing descriptive normative feedback can induce behavior change in the direction of the norm. However, the literature is mixed regarding the relative influence of more specific referent groups. This study compared the effectiveness of social normative feedback at increasing waste diversion, across four referent groups varying in their degree of specificity. A sample of 1560 single-family households in California were randomly assigned to one of six possible conditions: specific normative feedback about their immediate neighbors, exemplary normative feedback about the best recyclers in their city, generic normative feedback about the other residents in their neighborhood, normative feedback about a statewide waste diversion target, information-only, or no-contact control. Households in the feedback conditions received a mailed personalized Home Waste and Recycling report comparing their diversion rate to an assigned referent group. Results showed that normative feedback increased diversion rates compared to the control conditions, but results did not show significant differences between the feedback conditions. Additional results showed that the treatment effects were driven primarily by changes among households that were below the norm in baseline diversion rates. Findings are discussed within the framework of the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct, and the implications for large-scale applications.

How Much You See Is How You Respond: The Curvilinear Relationship Between the Frequency of Observed Unethical Behavior and The Whistleblowing Intention

This article uses a sample of 3076 employees working in the USA to examine the relationship between the frequency of unethical behavior that employees observe in their organization and their intention to whistleblow. The results confirm the expected curvilinear relationship based on the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct. This relationship is a combination of a diminishing negative relationship between the frequency of observed unethical behavior and the intention to whistleblow internally and a linear positive relationship between the frequency of observed unethical behavior and the intention to whistleblow externally. The beliefs of employees about how supportive their management is when handling whistleblowing reports moderates the relationship between the frequency of unethical behavior employees observe and their intention to whistleblow.

The Synergistic Effect of Descriptive and Injunctive Norm Perceptions on Counterproductive Work Behaviors

This paper addresses the potentially interactive effects of descriptive and injunctive norm perceptions on an unethical workplace behavior: counterproductive work behavior (CWB) perpetration. We draw on the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct and its conceptual distinction between norm types to refine research on this topic. We also test a person-by-environment interaction to determine whether the interactive effects of these norms for CWB are enhanced among employees reporting a stronger need to belong to social groups (NTB). In two studies, predictors were assessed in an initial survey and the dependent variable was assessed weeks later. Individuals employed across a range of industries served as participants. In Study 1, descriptive and injunctive norm perceptions of CWB interacted to predict CWB perpetration. This finding was replicated in Study 2. Additionally, Study 2 demonstrated that the interaction between the two norm types was especially strong among individuals high in NTB. Results suggest that to decrease CWB perpetration, organizations may profitably leverage the persuasive effects of “social norms marketing” to alter employee perceptions of the typicality and level of approval for CWBs. This is the first study to demonstrate that both descriptive and injunctive norm perceptions predict CWB perpetration. The demonstrated three-way interaction between the two norm types and NTB advances existing theory regarding the cognitive and motivational mechanisms underlying normative social influence.

Exploring the Relationship Among Physical Fitness Level, Social Norm Perceptions and PA Intention

College students’ healthy behavior choices are influenced by social norms, defined as the standards by which an individual judges the appropriateness of a behavior. Intentions then directly affect behavior. The Focus Theory of Normative Conduct (FTNC) identifies task value, outcome expectations and injunctive norms (i.e. what others approve of) as underlining mechanisms moderating the relationship between descriptive norms (i.e., what others do) and intentions. While FTNC identifies underlying psychosocial mechanisms, the interaction between physiological factors and social norms are currently unexplored. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among aerobic fitness (VO2 max), percent body fat, social norms, and physical activity intention. METHODS: Participants (N = 43, 25 females, 18 males; mean age = 21 ± 6 years) college undergraduate students. A survey consisting of previously validated measures was administered to assess normative perceptions, task value, and outcome expectations. Body fat, aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance and flexibility were assessed in the university’s applied physiology laboratory by an ACSM certified heath fitness specialist. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression equations were run to address the research questions. Block 1 for each analysis remained constant with descriptive norms entered as the independent variable. Descriptive norms accounted for 39.5% of the variance in intention to be active [F (1,41) = 27.33, p < .001]. Insertion of interaction variable one (descriptive norm x VO2 max) into the model did not contribute significantly to the model (b = .017, p = .52), indicating VO2 max was not a moderator (Aiken & West, 1991). Insertion of interaction variable two (descriptive norm x percent body fat) into the model did not contribute significantly to the model (b = .02, p = .46), indicating VO2 max was also not a moderator. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that descriptive norms may play more of an important role in college students’ decisions to be physically active than previously thought. Additionally, the findings suggest that regardless of current physical fitness level, emphasizing the positive behaviors of respective peer groups is a potential avenue for practitioners seeking to increase physical activity in students.

Promoting Pro-environmental Behaviors in Perspective of Psychology: The Focus Theory of Normative Conduct

The influence of social norms on individual behaviors is usually underestimated.On the basis of dividing social norms into descriptive norms and injunctive norms and defining the role of focus of attention,the focus theory of normative conduct puts new emphasis on the important role of social norms.According to focus theory of normative conduct,different social norms have different functions,and to properly adopt relative social norms information to intervene environmental behaviors could promote such behaviors as littering reducing,recycling promoting,energy improving,resource conservation and protection,etc.Based on environmental protection,the authors summarized notable problems during taking such scientific and low-cost measures.Finally,the authors discussed the applicability of the focus theory of normative conduct and the measures derived from it on environmental protection in China from two aspects including cultural difference and social characters of China at this stage.

Promoting energy conservation with implied norms and explicit messages

The goal of this research was to test the role of contextually implied descriptive social norms in promoting energy conservation, and the norm–salience consequences of posted messages. In Experiment 1, the norm in a campus computer laboratory was manipulated (all unused computers/monitors turned on or off) as well as activation of the norm (small signs posted directing that machines/monitors be turned off before leaving, or no posted signs). Researchers observed and recorded the behavior of 308 participants. As hypothesized, results showed that students were significantly more likely to shut down their computers and monitors in the condition with all machines preset to be off and the small signs posted. A second experiment was conducted to provide a practical test of the norm-aligned condition. The results showed that computers and monitors were shut down significantly more often in the norm-aligned condition than in the control condition (no sign posted and all machines/monitors left on). The results are discussed in terms of the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct.

Nutritious or Delicious? The Effect of Descriptive Norm Information on Food Choice

In two studies, we examined the effect of salient descriptive norm information on women's food choices. Undergraduate women in Study 1 were led to believe that earlier participants typically had chosen either a healthy or an unhealthy snack bar when participating in a study on taste sensations. When asked to make their own choice, participants tended to select a snack consistent with what they believed others had chosen. The findings were replicated in Study 2 when participants made multiple snack selections in a situation in which they believed that no one would know which snacks they chose. The results are consistent with the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct and suggest avenues for nutrition intervention programs.

A Focus Theory of Normative Conduct: When Norms Do and Do not Affect Behavior

In three experiments, respondents’ behavior conformed to the dictates of a relevant norm (the norm against littering) only under conditions of normative focus. This relationship held true across three types of procedures for producing normative focus (physiological arousal, modeling, and self-directed attention), across two types of settings (public and private), and across two types of norms (social and personal). Moreover, factors that would be expected to affect normative action were influential only when the norm was focal. These factors included the degree to which the action violated the relevant norm (Study 2) and the degree to which an individual subscribed to that norm (Study 3). Implications are discussed for developing campaigns to encourage prosocial behavior.