What distinguishes descriptive norms from injunctive norms?

Descriptive norms and injunctive norms are two important concepts in social psychology that help in understanding human behavior within a social context. Descriptive norms refer to individuals' perceptions of what is typical or commonly practiced within a specific group or society. They provide information about how people usually behave in particular situations. For instance, if most people recycle, that behavior becomes a descriptive norm, suggesting that recycling is typical within the community.

On the other hand, injunctive norms reflect the social approval or disapproval for certain behaviors; they indicate what behaviors are approved or deemed acceptable by society. For instance, individuals might feel that littering is disapproved of, thereby creating an injunctive norm against that behavior. This norm conveys a moral imperative or expectation that influences how individuals believe they should act.

The distinction highlighted in the correct answer emphasizes that descriptive norms focus on typical actions (what people do), while injunctive norms center on social expectations and approvals (what people ought to do). Understanding this difference is crucial in social psychology as it helps to clarify how social norms can guide behavior in different ways, with descriptive norms showing what is done and injunctive norms indicating what is desired behavior in a social context.