The empirical study of social norms has been hampered b y a lack of standardized
quantitative measures and criteria for the interpretation of research data. Two such
criteria are suggested, both of them derived from the modal proportion of
responses. The first, pk1rep, signifies a modal proportion large enough to represent a
population norm The second criterian, pk1prom, is less stringent and indicates the
presence of a prominent norm. Minority norms and plurality norms are also
quantitatively defined. Two empirical examples are given to illustrate the utility of
the suggested criteria.
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