The Power of Brokerage: Case Study of Normative Behavior, Latinas and Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Informed by the theory of normative social behavior (TNSB) and ego-network analysis, the present study outlines the mechanisms that contribute to the creation and maintenance of social norms and their subsequent behavioral outcomes. By analyzing different patterns of normative influence associated with cervical cancer detection among Latinas (N = 982), the study concludes that network brokerage provides individuals with nonredundant information, helps resist normative pressure, and contributes to efficacy beliefs, promoting more informed decision making. Conversely, network closure perpetuates conformity, increases the influence of social norms, and induces less confidence in individual’s ability to comply with cervical cancer screening, subjecting Latinas to unnecessary health risks. Overall, the results suggest that the study of normative influence should be combined with social network analysis, trying to shed a light on the distinct social structures and communication practices that can either reinforce or challenge norms. These findings extend the discussion of social norms in health-related decision making to a more nuanced approach that recognizes the antecedents and outcomes of normative influence.

Social norms and plastic avoidance: Testing the theory of normative social behaviour on an environmental behaviour

“…While some previous studies have investigated environmental behaviours using the TNSB, such as recycling (Lapinski et al, 2017) and water conservation (Lapinski et al, 2007), most research has explored health and safety behaviours, such as cervical cancer screening (Walter, Murphy, Frank, & Ball‐Rokeach, 2019), hand washing (Lapinski, Maloney, Braz, & Shulman, 2013), speeding while driving (Geber, Baumann, & Klimmt, 2019), and, most notably, alcohol consumption (Real & Rimal, 2007; Rimal, 2008; Rimal & Real, 2005; Tankard & Paluck, 2016; Yang & Zhao, 2018). This represents an important gap in the literature given that the influence of social norms on behaviour is greater for behaviours which benefit the collective (environmental) rather than the individual (health) (Lapinski et al, 2007).…”

Social media exposure, interpersonal network, and tampon use intention: A multigroup comparison based on network structure

“…Attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy. These TPB constructs were measured using the scales modified from previous research (Fishbein and Ajzen, 2010;Walter et al, 2019). Attitudes toward tampon usage were measured with six items using a 7-point differential scale.…”

“…Network structure. Network structure was operationalized as transitivity (also known as clustering coefficient), referring to the number of actual ties to the number of all possible ties (Burt, 2005;Walter et al, 2019). Respondents were asked to: (1) recall three-five people with whom they had talked about menstrual issues, (2) write down the initials/first names of the people they recalled, and (3) indicate whether the people they recalled communicated with each other.…”

Culture and Social Norms: Development and Application of a Model for Culturally Contextualized Communication Measurement (MC3M)

“…Evidence for back-translation, construct validity, and measurement equivalence may or may not be described. There are a few social norms studies that account for cultural dynamics using this method (e.g., Cialdini et al, 1999;Park and Levine, 1999;Boer and Westhoff, 2006;Fornara et al, 2011;Jang et al, 2013;Stamkou et al, 2019;Walter et al, 2019).…”