Positive Social Norms

What is a Positive Social Norms Intervention?

Prevention strategy using accurate data about peer behavior.
Corrects the gap between:
- Perceived Norms: “Everyone does [behavior/action].”
- True Norms: “Most students don’t [behavior/action].”

The perception of the peer norm is one of the strongest predictors of personal behavior.

Humans are group-oriented - we want to fit in. This is especially true in adolescence.
Misperceptions exaggerate risky behavior.
True norms encourage healthy choices.

When youth are exposed to positive, true norm messages, they are more likely to take part in those positive behaviors.

Social norms interventions prevent initiation of use and reduce experimental use.
When shown the true positive norm, youth reduce use.
Even heavy users will moderate or quit when exposed to accurate norms.

Descriptive norms - how people in a group actually behave or are perceived to behave.

Injunctive norms - how people in a group feel or believe that others ought to behave.

Social norms interventions prevent initiation of use and reduce experimental use.
When shown the true positive norm, youth reduce use.
Even heavy users will moderate or quit when exposed to accurate norms.

Explore baseline survey results that informed our local campaign here.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse