What are social expectations?

Social expectations are the rules that help people know how to behave around others.

Imagine you're playing a game with your friends, there's usually an unspoken rule about taking turns or being fair. That’s like social expectations in real life: they’re the things we learn from growing up, and they tell us what’s polite or friendly to do.

Think of social expectations as a rulebook that everyone follows without even thinking about it. When you go to school, your teacher might say “Please raise your hand before speaking.” That rule helps the class stay organized, just like how social expectations help people get along smoothly in everyday life.

If you visit a new place or meet different people, sometimes the rules change too. For example, if you're at a dinner table with your grandparents, they might expect you to say “please” and “thank you.” But on the playground, nobody cares about that, everyone just plays! That’s why social expectations can be fun to learn and discover.