How do social norms influence individual behavior?

Social norms are like invisible rules that help people know what to do and how to act around others.

Social norms are the ways most people in a group behave, and they help everyone feel comfortable together. If you're playing with friends and someone starts shouting loudly, it might make others shout too, just like when you all jump on a trampoline at the same time, it feels more fun!

Imagine you’re at a party with your classmates. Most of them are saying "please" and "thank you." That makes you want to say "please" and "thank you" too, because that’s what everyone else is doing.

Now imagine if everyone else was eating cake with their hands, but you had a fork. You might feel silly at first, but soon you’ll probably join in, just like when you're playing tag and the rules change to make it more fun for everyone!

Sometimes, social norms can change too. If all your friends start wearing hats inside, soon you'll wear a hat inside too, even if it feels a little silly at first! That’s how things like fashion trends or new ways of saying hello can spread through a group.

So, social norms are like the fun rules that help people know what to do and when to laugh, and they change as the group changes too!