Just the facts...
- 78% of Fresno State students use a designated driver when they drink.
- Others walk or stay home. Most Fresno State students are safe and moderate when they party!
- Most Fresno State students who drink stay at a blood alcohol content of .06 or below.
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Social norms include cultural traditions, community standards, social customs, shared beliefs, and typical behaviors. They include both attitudes and behaviors. Many social norms are pro-social and health-positive.
Our perceptions of social norms, whether correct or incorrect, influence many facets of our behavior. For instance, if we perceive that most people care about friends, we are more likely to treat friends in a caring way. If we perceive that most people drink a lot at parties, we are more likely to do the same.
The fact is, wellness is the norm: most people are healthy, positive, and caring. But illness, trouble, and not caring are often perceived as norms.
The social norms approach helps us understand seemingly irrational health behavior. It also offers a way to promote positive, healthy behavior. It asks about the reality of what people do and believe, often through survey research, and contrasts this reality with perceptions. The social norms approach is science-based and data-driven.
