This can also apply to societal expectations, cultural practices, and dominant ideologies. Moreover, social norms are often enforced through positive and negative sanctions. Positive sanctions, such as praise, recognition, or rewards, are given to individuals who conform to the desired norms. Negative sanctions, on the other hand, such as criticism, ostracism, or punishment, are imposed on individuals who deviate from the norms. These sanctions further reinforce the contagious nature of social norms as people try to avoid negative consequences and seek positive reinforcement. Overall, the contagiousness of social norms is a result of the complex interactions between human behavior, social influence, and the need for social acceptance and approval.
