Properties of Norms as Predictors of Alcohol Use among Mennonites

Abstract

In spite of the traditionally important role that the concept of “norms” has played in sociology, there is little agreement on how it should be defined or measured. This paper uses the framework suggested by Gibbs (1965, 1972, 1978) who proposes that we focus on normative properties whose presence or absence is a matter of degree. The set of normative properties analyzed in this paper relate to collective evaluations about alcohol use among Mennonites in Canada. Variation in degree of group agreement, evaluative intensity, saliency of the issue, permissible variation in situations and actors are measured. Regression procedures are used to test the relationship between these normative properties about alcohol use and self-reported alcohol consumption in five independently selected samples of Mennonites. Since the groups vary in their evaluation of alcohol use, the usefulness of the normative properties as predictors of behavior can be tested. While the percent of the variance explained is high and quite consistent across the groups, the relative importance of the normative properties within and between the groups varies substantially.