What is a social norm?

A social norm is essentially an accepted behavior that guides actions within a group. This concept highlights the influence of collectively shared expectations on individuals' behaviors, making it clear that social norms emerge from the values and beliefs of a specific community or society. When individuals conform to these norms, they are adhering to the informal rules that help maintain order and predictability within social interactions.

The other choices, while related to behavior and society, do not accurately capture the essence of a social norm. A personal belief without societal influence implies a completely individual perspective, detached from the social context that defines norms. A rule that is universally accepted suggests a level of agreement and application that may not exist, as norms can vary widely between different cultures or social groups. A behavior rejected by society refers to actions that contravene social norms rather than embody them, highlighting behaviors that go against the collective expectations of a community. Thus, the idea of an accepted behavior that guides actions in a group most accurately describes what a social norm is.