normative social influence
Normative social influence is when individuals conform to the expectations or behaviors of a group to gain acceptance or avoid rejection. It occurs because people care about being liked or fitting in, often leading them to adopt popular beliefs or practices, even if they don’t personally agree. For example, a person might laugh at a joke they don’t find funny because everyone else is laughing. This influence highlights the power of social norms and the human desire for social harmony, often affecting decisions and behaviors in various contexts, from casual situations to important life choices.
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Normative social influence refers to the pressure individuals feel to conform to the expectations of a group to be accepted or liked. This influence often leads people to change their behavior, opinions, or attitudes to align with what they believe is desired by others, even if they privately disagree. It's common in social settings, where individuals might follow trends, adopt popular views, or engage in certain behaviors to avoid rejection or gain approval, highlighting the importance of social acceptance in shaping behavior.