Perceptions Of Social Norms Research Articles

Policy as normative influence? On the relationship between parental leave policy and social norms in gender division of childcare across 48 countries.

In the present work, we addressed the relationship between parental leave policies and social norms. Using a pre-registered, cross-national approach, we examined the relationship between parental leave policies and the perception of social norms for the gender division of childcare. In this study, 19,259 students (11,924 women) from 48 countries indicated the degree to which they believe childcare is (descriptive norm) and should be (prescriptive norm) equally divided among mothers and fathers. Policies were primarily operationalized as the existence of parental leave options in the respective country. The descriptive and prescriptive norms of equal division of childcare were stronger when parental leave was available in a country - also when controlling for potential confounding variables. Moreover, analyses of time since policy change suggested that policy change may initially affect prescriptive norms and then descriptive norms at a later point. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of the data, drawing causal inferences is difficult.

Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets: Factors Shaping Student Intentions in a Challenging Economic Landscape

This research aims at investigating factors affecting entrepreneurial intention among university students in Selva Central-Peru. The study seeks to explore how perceptions of behavioural and social norms, as well as entrepreneurs’ self-efficacy, impact entrepreneurial intentions among students. The research method used is a quantitative one, which in turn praises data obtained through questionnaires applied to 114 active students and analysed by statistical methods. Confirmed the positive influences of self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intention are six times larger than those of attitude and subjective norms, with 79.2% explained variance, respectively, in relation to the proposal model’s findings. Results showed that although the majority of students demonstrated medium to high entrepreneurship intentions, much scope remains for increasing this. These findings confirm just how critical it is to provide an educational context that supports entrepreneurial locus of control-building and, in so doing, draws on broader conversation within the education-occupational landscape. With this, the study highlights avenues to better leverage entrepreneurship as a pathway toward sustainable livelihoods and economic inclusion in an economically divided region.

Technological optimism surpasses fear of missing out: A multigroup analysis of presumed media influence on generative AI technology adoption across varying levels of technological optimism

Drawing upon the influence of presumed media influence (IPMI) model, this study investigates indirect media effects on individuals' intentions to adopt generative AI technology, with a further examination of how variations in technological optimism impact the relationships within the IPMI model. Findings from a national survey of 1061 respondents confirmed the existence of presumed media influence in the context of generative AI technology, as individuals’ attention to generative AI technology related media content influenced their presumptions about how others use it, subsequently affecting their adoption intentions through social norm perception, attitude change, and the fear of missing out. Furthermore, a multigroup comparison uncovers divergent presumed media effects on generative AI technology adoption between subgroups characterized by their differing levels of technological optimism, in which high technological optimism was found to trump fear of missing out in driving its adoption.

Firearm Experiences, Behaviors, and Norms Among Rural Adolescents

Rural adolescents are at high risk for firearm-related injury, yet most existing prevention efforts are informed by research conducted in urban areas. Despite the need to account for rural perspectives, few studies have investigated the unique social ecological context of firearms for rural adolescents or have directly engaged with rural adolescents to understand their views on firearm use. To describe rural adolescents' firearm behaviors and perceptions of firearm-related social norms within their communities, peer groups, and families. This cross-sectional study used a convergent mixed-methods design and involved a community-based participatory research approach. Participants comprised 93 adolescents residing in rural Washington state and enrolled in a county or tribal reservation 4-H youth development program as an intermediate or senior age-level grouping (ie, aged 12-19 years). Adolescents completed a survey and participated in a semistructured focus group or interview between September 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic analysis. Individual handgun behavior and peer, family, and community perceptions of firearm-related social norms. The sample included 93 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.7 [1.7] years; 49 female participants [52.7%]). Approximately half of participants (52 [55.9%]) had carried a handgun at some point in their lives, with a mean (SD) age at first carry of 10.9 (3.1) years. Primary themes across quantitative and qualitative data focused on social norms (specifically, acceptable and unacceptable ways to engage with firearms, reasons for carrying firearms, and places to carry a firearm). In this cross-sectional study, rural adolescents in 4-H programs generally understood acceptable and unacceptable firearm carrying behaviors, which aligned with state laws. Findings provide context for rural adolescent behaviors such as carrying a firearm predominantly for prosocial reasons (hunting, recreation, and sport) and adult behavior such as carrying for protection of person and personal property. Understanding firearm-related social norms in rural communities holds implications for firearm injury prevention efforts, especially related to enhancing training, developing norms-based prevention approaches, and tailoring efforts to rural settings.

The Influence of Climate Perception and Low-Carbon Awareness on the Emission Reduction Willingness of Decision Makers in Large-Scale Dairy Farming: Evidence from the Midwest of Inner Mongolia, China

In recent years, global climate change has profoundly influenced natural ecosystems and human societies, making climate mitigation and carbon emission reduction a point of consensus among the international community. The issue of carbon emissions in agriculture, particularly in the livestock sector, is garnering increasing attention. This study focuses on large-scale dairy farms in the central and western regions of Inner Mongolia, exploring their low-carbon production behavioral intentions and influencing factors. By constructing a structural equation model (PLS-SEM), we systematically analyze the relationships between variables such as climate perception, value judgment, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived control and their combined effects on low-carbon production behavioral intentions. The findings suggest that the influence of climate perception and low-carbon awareness is mediated. Thus, the stronger the farm owners’ perception of climate change, the more they recognize the value of low-carbon production and the greater the social pressure they experience and their sense of self-efficacy. The farm owners’ attitudes, perceptions of social norms, and evaluations of their own capabilities collectively determine their intentions regarding low-carbon production. Furthermore, multi-group analysis showed significant heterogeneity in behavioral intentions between different scales of dairy farms. Small-scale farms, due to their weaker economic capacity, tend to harbor negative attitudes towards low-carbon production, while large-scale farms, with greater economic power and sensitivity to policy and market demands, are more likely to take low-carbon actions. This study provides theoretical support for formulating effective low-carbon policies, contributing to the sustainable development of the livestock sector and agriculture as a whole.

Role of Digital Literacy in Shaping the Socialization of University Students

The objectives of the study were to explore the current landscape of digital literacy among university students; to identify the role of digital literacy on socialization dynamics within university students. This study collected quantitative data from 300 students through a questionnaire. The analysis found that majority of the respondents agreed that digital literacy assists students in developing social skills and etiquette, digital literacy positively impacts their social interaction manners, digital literacy has significant impact on communication skills, digital tools influence their social interactions. They had also agreed that digital literacy influences their perception of social norms, digital literacy facilitates and integrates different cultures, norms, and practices, access to digital technology can bridge up social interaction gaps among students, digital literacy can empower students to participate more actively in civic engagement, digital literacy promotes critical thinking among students. They had also agreed that digital literacy has made people more connected, digital literacy platforms influenced their values or attitudes toward social issues, digital literacy education emphasizes ethical considerations during socialization, empathy can be cultivated and practiced in online interactions, similar to face-to-face interactions, digital literacy tools can help to convey empathy and emotional nuances effectively. They had also agreed that digital literacy promotes understanding and respect among university students and digital literacy skills enhance students’ adaptability in social settings.

The effect of Philosophy for Children (P4C) activities on the development of moral perception and social rules of preschool children

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of P4C implementations on children's perceptions of moral and social rules. The study was carried out with a total of 48 children aged five years old, 23 of them in the experimental group and 25 of them in the control group, attending a public school in the 2023–2024 academic years. A quasi-experimental design was used in the research, and the fully mixed sequential equal status design, one of the mixed research typologies, was applied. The Preschool Children's Conceptions of Moral and Social Rules Scale was applied in the quantitative dimension of the research, and observation, interviews, and anecdotal records constituted the qualitative data collection dimension. Briefly, after the implementation process, the experimental group's perception of moral and social norms improved. In the current study, a substantial difference between the children's moral rule and social rule perceptions after the P4C sessions was discovered when the experimental group's moral rule and social rule perception scale scores were analyzed before and after the implementation. A noticeable improvement in cognitive and social-emotional development was seen. It was determined that positive behaviors improved, particularly in moral situations requiring tolerance, in the experimental group. The study came to the conclusion that teaching children philosophy helps them enhance their critical thinking skills.

Shifting the affective narrative: atmospheres as solicitations to alter situational emotion scripts

ABSTRACT Over the past decade, the notion of affective affordances has gained some prominence, particularly in the context of 4E approaches to affectivity. One example of affective affordances, mostly mentioned in passing in 4E approaches to affectivity, are atmospheres. Notoriously difficult to pin down in general, it has so far also remained unclear what distinguishes atmospheres from other affective affordances and whether they are a distinctive type of solicitations. Intuitively, the atmosphere of a situation implies an affect-regulatory profile different to what and how single objects solicit. Notably, as affective frames of sociocultural delineated situations they are relevant for coordinating social interactions and modulate personal concerns pertaining to a given situation. In accordance with paradigm cases of experiencing atmospheres, I will claim that they make salient how one is affectively disposed toward situation-specific feeling norms. I will clarify this claim by drawing on the concepts of social and emotion scripts as they have been developed in cognitive psychology and psychology of emotions. Atmospheres will thus be understood as solicitations to change situational emotion scripts. In this way, they represent a distinct avenue for changing fields of affordances over time, based on personal concerns for social and cultural belonging. Conversely, this account sheds light on the affective underpinnings of the perception of social norms.

The impact of entrepreneurship education on students’ desirability and intentions to pursue an entrepreneurial career: a study in general and vocational secondary schools of Cabo Verde

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Entrepreneurship Curriculum Programme (ECP) on students' entrepreneurial attitudes, perception of social norms and entrepreneurial intentions. This programme was implemented in upper-secondary level classes in Cabo Verde. The study also assesses if the programme has different impacts in different years of schooling and the mediating role of personal factors (gender and family models), teaching factors (differences between general and vocational education) and contextual factors (different island). The research was conducted on six islands in 4 vocational schools and 8 schools of general studies. The research compared the results of two groups: one with 947 students who attended ECP and the other with 1140 students who did not. The findings reveal that ECP impacts all the dimensions considered, the effect is differentiated throughout schooling and that other factors affect students' entrepreneurial attitudes, beliefs and intentions. From the theoretical point of view, the study reinforces the knowledge about the impact of education in entrepreneurship in contexts where there are still few studies—the context of developing countries and the context of secondary education. From a practical point of view, the study provides indications for deepening/improving the design and implementation of entrepreneurship education programmes.

Food availability, perceived food environment and social norm perceptions of healthy and vegetarian food consumption at a public music festival in the Netherlands: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo gain insight into the food availability, the perceived food environment, and social norm perceptions in favour of healthy and vegetarian food consumption at a festival.DesignTwo cross-sectional substudies were conducted...

RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF MORAL GAZE ON TOURISTS' ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR

Tourists construct and consume tourist destinations through the tourist gaze. Simultaneously, their behaviors are exposed to the gaze of bystanders, whose “moral” gaze can be transformed into silent comments that condemn or praise, placing tourists under invisible moral surveillance and regulating their behaviors. This paper attempts to study the influence of moral gaze on tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior by initiating an experiment. The findings reveal that tourists’ self-consciousness is awakened after being influenced by moral gaze, and their perception of social norms is improved. The mechanism of reputation management and normative activation prompts tourists to consciously modify their own behavior. Through this study, it is hoped that the findings will contribute to the formulation of ecological management policies in tourism destinations.

The effect of third-party intervention on normative behavior of bystanders: An explanation of the social norm cueing effect

Third-party interventions play a crucial role in upholding social norms and have evolutionary implications for human societies. Nevertheless, research on the effects of third-party interventions, particularly third-party compensation, on bystanders' norm compliance remains scarce. We conducted two studies to explore how third-party interventions affect bystanders' adherence to social norms and the underlying mechanisms, focusing on the perception of social norms. Study 1 examined the effects of third-party interventions, presented as group summary information, on bystanders using the dictator game paradigm. The findings revealed that both third-party punishment and compensation positively affected bystanders' fairness, with norm perceptions serving as a mediating factor. Employing a similar paradigm to Study 1, Study 2 assessed the effect of third-party interventions conveyed through individual behavior information on bystanders. The results showed that the effect of third-party interventions on bystanders' fairness depended on how representative the interventions were perceived to be. We conclude that both third-party compensation and third-party punishment can encourage bystanders to conform to social norms by shaping their norm perceptions. The findings suggest a novel method for reinforcing social norms, potentially signaling a shift from retributive to restorative justice approaches.

“Hot, dumpster fire, mess”: Police personnel perceptions of the current state of mental health in law enforcement

An abundance of research has focused on police personnel stress and interventions that may reduce the consequences of that stress. What have received less attention, however, are police personnel's perceptions of stress and mental health generally, as well as their perceptions of social norms and departmental views of mental health. Leveraging brief one-on-one interviews conducted with 75 sworn and civilian police personnel of a Southwestern police department, the current study examined police personnel's perceptions about the current state of mental health in law enforcement. In addition, respondents provided insights into injunctive social norms, specifically what they believe their peers think about mental health. Results indicate negative overall perceptions of mental health in policing, from both personal and peer perspectives. Further, respondents highlighted a generational gap in their peers that likely impacted their views on the topic. Implications for policing practice, research, and policy are discussed.

The specifics of digital media and the communication role of media content consumers in assessing the student audience (based on the materials of a sociological study)

The article highlights the results of a study, the subject of which was the student audience's ideas about the specific characteristics of digital media, the role and place of authors and consumers of media content in the communication process. The authors consider such aspects of the topic as awareness of the reasons that encourage the audience to turn to digital media content; the grounds and directions for evaluating relevant media phenomena; reflection on the activity or passivity of the role that the audience assumes. Particular attention is paid to the respondents' perception of social norms and rules that determine the forms and types of communicative behavior in the digital media space, since the dynamism of their development disposes not only to search for options for adaptation to innovative technologies for working with information, but also to search for a reliable value basis both in the field of media communications and in broader areas of social life. During the research, the questionnaire method, descriptive method and analysis method were used. The respondents included students majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. In analyzing digital media, the target audience relies on both their own individual experience and the experience gained from studying theories and practices relevant to specialists in the field of communication studies. In the process of reflection on the specific characteristics of digital media, students demonstrate primarily a value-based approach, choosing traditional moral values and norms as the basis for evaluating the studied phenomena. The main attention is paid to the problem of responsibility to society of both authors and consumers of media content, who must be guided by such requirements as honesty, conscientiousness and willingness to act in the interests of the majority of people. Analyzing the role of communicators, students, in addition to being involved in ethical issues, also demonstrate a desire to develop critical thinking and personal development. The activity of this role, however, is assessed in two ways: respondents record both the opportunity for digital media audiences to act as active figures implementing the function of co-authors of media content, and their exposure to media influence, in which the active role of co-authors is replaced by the passive role of addressees who act within the dominant code.

Reframing Relational Space. Migration from the Perspective of Those ‘Who Stay’

AbstractMigratory research projects are increasingly concerned with bringing together those ‘who go’ and those ‘who stay’, considering the impact of living in transnational family relationships. The perception and use of space have moved between digital and face-to-face spaces in the management of these dynamics. Considering that Portugal has both a high rate of ageing and a high number of young adult emigrants, it is important to explore how parental figures in Portugal and young adult children abroad re-signify their presence. In this paper, we intend to reflect on how parental figures in Portugal use digital and face-to-face presence to connect with their emigrated children and how that might re-signify the space with the community where they live. Using a post-positivist paradigm and semi-structured interviews, we developed a qualitative study with parental figures living in Portugal and their adult children living abroad (N = 20, age M = 60, 83; DP = 9, 15). We analysed the data using the software N-Vivo (ed. 14). The general results point to the inclusion of digital space as a dimension for the negotiation of space–time within family rituals. In this sense, digital platforms and devices gain importance in the maintenance of communication and the planning of routines or celebrations. The dynamics of these family groups are influenced by the perception of social values and norms. The presence established between the digital and the physical seems to be important in (a) decreasing the impact of isolation and increasing participants’ sense of belonging, (b) promoting cross-cultural values, and (c) encouraging participants to use digital tools to connect with other groups in their communities.

How perceptions of meat consumption norms differ across contexts and meat consumer groups

Social norm perceptions are implicit standards describing what is typically done or seen as acceptable and have shown to be important both in sustaining meat consumption as well as facilitating meat reduction. Norm perceptions depend on individual differences and the contexts (e.g., supermarket, restaurant). Yet, evidence how norm perceptions differ within and across individuals is scarce. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how descriptive, injunctive, and personal norms perceptions favouring meat consumption differ across contexts and meat consumer groups. The second aim was to investigate how generic dynamic norm perceptions vary across meat consumer groups. British meat eaters (n = 1205, 25–65 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey. Weekly meat, fish and meat substitute consumption was measured with the adapted Oxford Meat Frequency Questionnaire. All but dynamic norm perceptions were measured for the supermarket, restaurant and worksite cafeteria context. Dynamic norms were measured without a specified context. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted to identify meat consumer groups. Descriptive norm perceptions favouring meat consumption were strongest in supermarket and restaurant contexts, compared to the worksite cafeteria. Injunctive and personal norms favouring meat consumption were both perceived strongest in the supermarket, followed by the restaurant, and least in the worksite cafeteria context. Four meat consumer groups were identified and those with higher meat intake (i.e., Meat lovers and Exceeders) perceived norms favouring meat consumption stronger and norms favouring meat avoidance weaker than the groups with lower meat intake (i.e., Flexitarians and Moderates). While norm perceptions differed between meat consumer groups, the pattern of contextual differences is similar for these meat consumer groups. Our findings underscore the importance of considering contexts and meat consumer groups in efforts to reduce meat consumption.

The expressive function of public policy: renewable energy mandates signal social norms.

Addressing collective action problems requires individuals to engage in coordinated and cooperative behaviours. Existing research suggests that individuals' propensity to work together depends in part on their belief that others support the cause in question. People form their expectations about prevalent beliefs and behaviours from many sources. To date, most of the literature has focussed on how socialnorm perceptions are inferred from peers or summary statistics. We explore an understudied source of norm information: the passage of policies by democratically elected institutions. Institutional signals, such as the setting of defaults, national laws or policies, can act as coordination devices, signalling or prescribing social norms to large audiences. However, their expressive function is likely to depend on whether the institution is seen as accountable to the public. In two highly powered, pre-registered experiments (N = 11 636), we examine the role of policy signals as a source of social norm information. In Study 1, Americans randomly assigned to learn that their state passed a 100% renewable energy mandate believe that a greater percentage of their state's residents support such a mandate. In Study 2, we replicate this effect for national policy and show that the influence is moderated by information about whether the government represents the will of the people. This article is part of the theme issue 'Social norm change: drivers and consequences'.

Intention to receive Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) treatment and its associated factors among healthcare workers in a Malaysian teaching university hospital.

The acceptability of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) therapy remains low among healthcare workers (HCWs). Up to 10% of LTBI cases can reactivate into active tuberculosis, posing risks to HCWs and patients. Understanding HCWs' intention to undergo LTBI treatment is crucial for designing effective management policies, especially where no LTBI policy exists. This cross-sectional study investigated the intention to receive LTBI therapy and its associated factors among HCWs in a Malaysian teaching hospital. The study was conducted from 5th to 30th May 2023, in a hospital without an LTBI screening program. Stratified random sampling was used to select HCWs, excluding those undergoing TB or LTBI therapy. Respondents completed a questionnaire measuring intention to receive LTBI treatment, LTBI knowledge, attitude, perceived norm, and perceived behavioral control. Of the 256 respondents, the majority were female (63.7%), under 35 years old (64.45%), had no comorbidities (82.0%), and worked in clinical settings (70.3%). However, 60.5% of respondents had low LTBI knowledge and 60.5% held unfavorable attitudes toward LTBI treatment. Despite this, 53.5% of respondents intended to undergo LTBI therapy if diagnosed. Factors positively associated with this intention included being female [aOR: 2.033, 95% CI: 1.080-3.823], having high LTBI knowledge [aOR 1.926, 95% CI: 1.093-3.397], had favorable attitude [aOR 3.771, 95% CI: 1.759-8.084], and strongly perceiving social norms supportive of LTBI treatment [aOR 4.593, 95% CI: 2.104-10.023]. These findings emphasize the need for an LTBI management policy in the teaching hospital. To boost HCWs' intention and acceptance of LTBI treatment, a focused program improving knowledge, attitude, and perception of social norms could be introduced.

Social Norm Perceptions in Third-Party Punishment

Social Norm Perceptions in Third-Party Punishment

Individual differences and anti-vaccine radical collective action intention: The moderating role of group norms

This research comprises three studies conducted in the United States and Poland, investigating predictors of radical action intentions within anti-vaccine movements. The American sample included 252 participants (N1), while the Polish samples had 316 (N2) and 538 (N3) participants. The studies focused on the association between personality traits (meanness, disinhibition, subclinical sadism) and willingness to engage in radical collective action. Building on previous work connecting antisocial tendencies to social behaviours, our research delves into the specific link between non-clinical traits and violent collective actions. Across all studies, positive and significant associations were found between these traits and radical collective action intentions. Notably, our findings highlight that the perception of social norms moderates these relationships. When radical actions are perceived as normative, the link between disinhibition and willingness to choose radical means is stronger and significant. Conversely, when actions are seen as non-normative and unacceptable, the relationship weakens. This moderation effect is consistent in both Poland and the United States, with some observed differences in the strength of indirect effects. The synthesis of insights from personality and social psychology proves vital for a nuanced understanding of collective behaviour.