title: Understanding the sources of normative influence on behavior: the example of tobacco.
abstract: Despite extensive research on social norms, the sources of norm formation are not well understood. Social exposure to a behavior (defined as the composite of ways through which people see that behavior in their social, physical, and symbolic environments) can serve as a source of normative influence. Using tobacco as a case study, we propose that research should move beyond categories of individuals as sources of norms and focus on a broader range of sources of normative influences. An understanding of social exposure as a source for norms may be important to better understand and intervene in environments to promote public health. We make policy recommendations arising from the explication of social exposure and propose directions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, USA. Electronic address: emead1@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Mead
authors.affiliation: George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Prevention & Community Health, USA. Electronic address: rrimal@gwu.edu.
authors.forename: Rajiv N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rimal
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Canada. Electronic address: Roberta.Ferrence@camh.ca.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrence
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, 2213 McElderry Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Canada. Electronic address: jcohen@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Joanna E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D035841:Behavioral Research; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D012931:Social Environment; D066262:Social Norms; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Environment; Norms; Smoking; Social exposure; Tobacco use