The difference between a social norm and a descriptive norm: explanations with original examples.

A social norm is a set of expectations and standards that determine what kind of action is appropriate for people to take. These serve as guidelines that demonstrate what people should and are expected to do. Since social norms indicate expected practice, returning a lost wallet may be a good example of it. If you find a lost wallet while wandering through a park, the conventional social norm requires you to either return it to its rightful owner or report it to the appropriate authorities. This behavior is motivated by a shared societal perspective that values honesty, integrity, and empathy for others. Especially if discovered by chance, the act of keeping the wallet violates this established norm, perhaps leading to feelings of guilt or social criticism, especially if done quietly.

On the other hand, descriptive norms refer to what the majority of people do in a specific scenario, regardless of whether such behavior is accepted or rejected by society. A casual dress in the modern workplace may serve as an example of descriptive norms. Formal clothing (professional suits, ties, and polished shoes) was formerly the expected norm for workplace environments. However, in a lot of today's internet companies or startups, employees are dressed in jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and even more casual wear. This practice, which has become common nowadays, is an example of descriptive norms. The change does not imply that casual attire is the "right" or "approved" way to wear in all professional contexts. The trend, on the other hand, simply expresses what is often observed in these modern workplaces. The casual dress code reflects a larger cultural shift in many companies, reflecting a flexibility, comfort, and a departure from typical or traditional corporate rigidity. Furthermore, concepts behind these descriptive norms can be linked to a variety of factors, including initiatives to foster more relaxed and inventive settings, recruit younger talent, or simply a reaction to shifting cultural norms regarding work-life integration.