Use social transitions to change the norms around your behavior

When your social group changes, use the transition to adopt the behavioral norms of the new group rather than carrying old ones.

Why it works

Social transitions change the descriptive norms (what people around you actually do) and injunctive norms (what they expect) that shape automatic behavior. A new social environment has not yet formed expectations about your behavior, making it easier to establish new patterns than in existing relationships where identity and behavioral roles are already consolidated. New groups who model desired behaviors also provide both vicarious efficacy and social opportunity.

How to do it

1. Identify any upcoming changes in social environment: new team, new community, new relationship context.
2. Before entering, decide which behavioral identity you want to establish in that context.
3. From the first interactions, behave consistently with the desired identity — early impressions set the social expectations that later support the behavior.
4. Actively seek connection with members of the new group who already exhibit the behaviors you want to develop.

Evidence

Social norm effects on behavior are well documented; the social transition application is consistent with social identity and descriptive norm research. (observational)

Social transitions are not fully controllable, and new social norms can cut either way — new environments can also install unwanted habits through social pressure.

Common mistake

Trying to change identity-linked behaviors while remaining in the social context that defines the old identity — social context is one of the most powerful maintainers of behavioral patterns.