Influence of social norms

Social norms are the unwritten rules that guide how people behave in a society or group. They influence our actions by shaping expectations about what is acceptable or appropriate, often encouraging conformity to avoid social disapproval. For example, norms around politeness or punctuality affect everyday interactions. They help create predictability and stability, but can also reinforce conformity even when individual preferences differ. In essence, social norms subtly steer behaviors by establishing shared standards, fostering social cohesion, and influencing decision-making without the need for formal rules or laws.