How do social norms vary across societies?

There are social norms about most aspects of life. Food, speech, clothes, and hygiene are just a few examples of important domains in which people have opinions on what is and isn’t appropriate and certain expectations about others’ behavior. Moreover, depending on how others behave people have feelings about them and may act on these feelings.

The GSN network is a global research endeavour committed to shedding light on how norms work and change. By understanding norms, we can better understand how societies are shaped and coordinate and collaborate on global issues.

The network was founded in 2021 and has since then conducted four international data collections:

The First Metanorm Study

The Second Metanorm Study

Everyday Norms

Finding Popular Solutions to Climate Change (ongoing)