Do as we say and as we do: The interplay of descriptive and injunctive group norms in the attitude–behaviour relationship

Abstract

were conducted to tease apart the relative effects of descriptive and injunctive group norms. In both studies, university students' attitudes towards current campus issues were obtained, descriptive and injunctive group norms were manipulated, and participants' postmanipulation attitudes, behavioural willingness, and behaviour were assessed. Study 2 also examined the role of norm source (i.e., ingroup vs. outgroup injunctive and descriptive norms). In both studies, injunctive and descriptive ingroup norms interacted significantly to influence attitudes, behavioural willingness, and behaviour. Study 2 revealed that outgroup norms were largely ineffective. The research illustrates that ingroups interactively influence decisions, not only by what they say, but also by what they do, and asserts the value of considering the interaction of descriptive and injunctive norms in accounts of normative influence.

Persuasive Normative Messages: The Influence of Injunctive and Personal Norms on Using Free Plastic Bags

“…As expected and in line with studies that have investigated aligned normative injunctive and descriptive normative messages (i.e., [24,47]), a normative message emphasizing both one's injunctive and personal norms resulted in the lowest uptake of free plastic bags. Although the combined normative message showed the largest change in use of plastic bags, the difference was significant compared to the standard environmental message only and not compared to the injunctive or personal normative message only.…”

“…In another study, Smith and Louis [47] showed an interaction effect between the injunctive and descriptive norms: the impact of a salient injunctive norm to sign a petition against full-fee places for domestic undergraduate students was stronger when the descriptive norm to support this signing was salient as well. Finally, in three large scale surveys, Thøgersen [48] consistently found that the effect of the injunctive and descriptive norms combined were stronger than their additive effects for explaining a diversity of self-reported pro-environmental behaviors.…”

“…This study will be one of the first that explores such effects. Based on the assumption that aligned messages assert the strongest influence on one's behavior (e.g., [15,24,47]) and a combined message can activate both norms depending on which norm is most important for the person to act upon in first instance [49], we expect that:…”

“Depression is who I am”: Mental illness identity, stigma and wellbeing

“…The measure of symptom norms consisted of 4 items adapted from various sources (e.g., Cruwys, Haslam, Fox, & McMahon, 2015;Smith & Louis, 2008) that asked participants to rate how likely it would be for other people with depression to engage in four kinds of symptom-related cognitions (e.g. "Keep thinking negative and unhelpful thoughts") and behaviors (e.g.…”

Prevención ambiental de drogas en la Unión Europea. ¿Por qué es tan impopular este tipo de prevención?

“…These behaviourally important descriptive social norms (i.e. what most people do and accept, regardless of whether it is legal) are likely to be influenced by formal norms and rules (Smith, 2008). The successful adoption of new legislation and social rules relies on this mechanism: a formal norm modifies or responds to a descriptive norm, which in turn modulates individual behaviour.…”