According to social norms theory, our perceptions and beliefs of what is ‘normal’

behavior by others will influence our own behavior (Berkowitz, 2005). This implies that
what others do may influence us to do also what they called so as 'normal' but for others
is not. Eventually the environment where we are will push us into doing things that what
they believe is normal. An act that what used to be not normal will just became an
ordinary act to everyone. For example, the belief that others drink heavily will have
considerable influence on the amount a person drinks (Cunningham & Selby, 2007).
Our perceptions are only one small step in getting to the truth. Humans quest for
knowledge begins with sensory input. According to Myers (2016), the collection of
sensory inputs about an object leads to our perception of what that object is (consider
the feel, smell, and taste of a lemon). Then our capacity for reason begins.

Berkowitz AD. (2005) An overview of the social norms approach. In Lederman L,

Stewart L (eds). changing the culture of college drinking: A socially situated health
communication campaign. Creskill, NJ. Hampton Press.

Cunningham, J., & Selby, P. (2007) Implications of the normative fallacy in young adult
smokers aged 19–24 years. Am J Public Health, 97,1399-1400.

Cunningham J., et al. (2001). Impact of normative feedback on problem drinkers: a

small-area population study. J Stud Alcohol, 62, 228–33.
Cunningham J, et al. (2009). A randomized controlled trial of an internet-based brief
intervention for alcohol abusers. Addiction,12, 2023–32.