What do subjective norms refer to?

Subjective norms refer to the beliefs about how others perceive a particular behavior, influencing an individual’s decision-making process. This concept is rooted in social psychology and highlights the importance of social pressure and expectations from peers, family, and societal groups. When individuals consider engaging in a behavior, they often take into account what they believe others think about that behavior, which can significantly impact their intentions and actions.

In the context of subjective norms, the emphasis is on the perceptions of social relationships and the influence of others’ opinions. For instance, if a person believes that their friends support a certain action, they may be more likely to engage in that action themselves, reflecting the direct impact of perceived social approval or disapproval.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of subjective norms. Personal beliefs about the self deal more with self-concept and identity, while norms derived from societal standards suggest a more generalized social framework rather than personal perceptions. Fixed standards of behavioral ethics refer to established principles of right and wrong, which do not consider the influence of others’ views on specific behaviors. Therefore, the focus on how individuals perceive the opinions of significant others is what makes the selected answer correct in understanding subjective norms.