Which term describes people's perceptions of what behaviors are typical or common among their peers?

Which term describes people's perceptions of what behaviors are typical or common among their peers?

• A. Injunctive norms
• B. Descriptive norms
• C. Perceived norms
• D. Social norms

Answer: (A)

Descriptive norms describe people's perceptions of how common certain behaviors are among their peers. The statement focuses on how often a behavior occurs within the peer group, not on whether the behavior is approved or disapproved. That makes descriptive norms the best fit. Injunctive norms would address what people think others approve or disapprove of, which is about permission or sanctions rather than frequency. Social norms is a broader umbrella term that includes both how people behave and what they think is approved, while perceived norms is a general idea about what people believe about norms overall. So the term that matches the idea of “perceptions of what behaviors are typical or common” is descriptive norms.

Descriptive norms describe people's perceptions of how common certain behaviors are among their peers. The statement focuses on how often a behavior occurs within the peer group, not on whether the behavior is approved or disapproved. That makes descriptive norms the best fit. Injunctive norms would address what people think others approve or disapprove of, which is about permission or sanctions rather than frequency. Social norms is a broader umbrella term that includes both how people behave and what they think is approved, while perceived norms is a general idea about what people believe about norms overall. So the term that matches the idea of “perceptions of what behaviors are typical or common” is descriptive norms.