Suppose studies show that only 15 percent of all teens wear their bike helmets while riding their bikes. If policymakers wish for more teens to wear their bike helmets, they should create a public service announcement that: A)brings attention to the fact that many teens act unsafely by not wearing a helmet. B)urges teens to wear helmets, without disclosing the fact that a majority of teens do not wear helmets. C)informs parents that most teens do not wear bike helmets. D)shares the statistic, although it's impossible to predict whether this will actually influence behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Highlighting the behavior of a majority can inadvertently normalize that behavior, even if it's negative. By urging teens to wear helmets without mentioning the low current usage rates, the campaign avoids reinforcing the idea that not wearing a helmet is the norm. This approach is based on social norms theory, which suggests that people's behavior is influenced by their perceptions of what is normal or acceptable within their peer group. Mentioning that most teens don't wear helmets could unintentionally suggest that this behavior is typical or acceptable, potentially undermining the campaign's goal.

Suppose Studies Show That Only 15 Percent of All Teens