A Level Economics AQA Practice Exam

Social Norms influence individuals by:

1. Dictating legal regulations in society

2. Establishing expectations for acceptable behaviors

3. Limiting individuals' ability to make personal choices

4. Encouraging complete freedom in decision making

The correct answer is: Establishing expectations for acceptable behaviors

Social norms play a significant role in shaping individual behavior by establishing expectations for what is considered acceptable within a particular community or society. These unwritten rules guide individuals on how to behave in various situations, helping to facilitate social cohesion and understanding. For example, social norms might dictate how people dress in different contexts, how they interact in public spaces, or how they express emotions. The influence of social norms is rooted in the desire for acceptance and fear of social sanctions, which means individuals often conform to these expectations to fit in or to avoid disapproval from others. This conformity can impact choices in a variety of areas, including moral decisions, consumption habits, and interpersonal relationships. While legal regulations can reflect social norms or enforce them, they are not the same. Legal regulations are formalized laws that require compliance, whereas social norms can exist independently of legal frameworks. Furthermore, social norms do not inherently restrict personal choice; rather, they shape decisions based on societal expectations. As for encouraging complete freedom in decision-making, social norms often promote certain pathways of behavior over others, which usually creates some level of restriction based on the collective agreement on what is deemed appropriate.