subjective norms

Subjective norms are the perceived social pressures or expectations from important people in your life—such as family, friends, or coworkers—about how you should behave. They influence your decisions and actions based on what you think others believe is right or wrong. Essentially, subjective norms reflect your awareness of social approval or disapproval regarding a particular behavior, shaping whether you choose to follow or oppose it. These social influences can significantly impact your choices, even if you haven't explicitly discussed or agreed with others about what you should do.