What does normative social influence aim to achieve?

Normative social influence refers to the social pressures that individuals experience to conform to the expectations and norms of a group in order to gain acceptance and approval. This phenomenon occurs because people often desire to belong to a group and to be liked by others, which drives them to align their behavior and beliefs with the prevailing attitudes of their social circle.

When individuals conform due to normative social influence, they may change their behaviors or opinions, at least publicly, to fit in or avoid social disapproval, even if their private beliefs differ. This process significantly impacts group dynamics and can lead to uniformity in opinions or behaviors among group members.

The other choices reflect alternatives that do not align with the defined goal of normative social influence. A lack of concern for group acceptance contradicts the very essence of normative influence, which is inherently about seeking social validation. Rejecting social norms would imply a deliberate choice to deviate from accepted behaviors, rather than conforming to them. Adapting to personal beliefs also focuses on individual preferences rather than the social dynamics that normative influence seeks to navigate. Therefore, the aim of normative social influence very much revolves around achieving acceptance and approval from others.