How Social Norms Help Us Feel Better in Uncertain Times

Social norms are like invisible rules that guide our choices. People often follow these norms to fit in or avoid trouble. But there's more to it. They might also help us manage our feelings, especially when things are unclear. Three studies with over 2500 people looked into this. They tested different types of uncertainty: complexity, risk, and ambiguity. The findings showed that social norms have more influence when uncertainty is high. But it's not just about following the crowd. It's about feeling better. The studies found that social norms can reduce negative emotions in uncertain situations. This suggests that norms do more than guide behavior. They also help regulate emotions. This is a new way to understand why people follow norms. Critically, the studies did not find that uncertainty makes norms more noticeable. Instead, norms seem to help people feel less anxious or stressed. This is an important distinction. It shows that norms have a hidden emotional benefit. In short, social norms are not just about fitting in. They also help people cope with uncertainty. This is a valuable insight. It changes how we see the role of norms in society.