Social Sustainability
Social Norms
Definition
Social norms are the informal, often unspoken rules that govern behaviour within a group or society — shared expectations about what is typical (descriptive norms) and what is approved (injunctive norms), enforced by social approval and sanction rather than law. Norms shape sustainable or unsustainable behaviour powerfully: littering, food waste, energy use, dietary choices and consumption display all track what peers visibly do and approve.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Social Norms” is defined and used.
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Overview
How it is used
The concept structures behavioural intervention design, public health and sanitation programming (community-led total sanitation), energy feedback products and research on social tipping points in sustainability transitions.
Why it matters
Laws set floors and prices set incentives, but norms set defaults; shifting them is often the fastest route to mass behaviour change.