A Role for Network Science in Social Norms Intervention

Abstract Social norms theory has provided a foundation for public health interventions on critical issues such as alcohol and substance use, sexual violence, and risky sexual behavior. We assert that modern social norms interventions can be better informed with the use of network science methods. Social norms can be seen as complex contagions on a social network, and their propagation as an information diffusion process. We observe instances where the recommendations of social norms theory match up to theoretical predictions from information diffusion models. Conversely, the network science viewpoint highlights aspects of intervention design not addressed by the existing theory. Information about network structure and dynamics are often not used in existing social norms interventions; we argue that these factors may be contributing to the lack of efficacy of social norms interventions delivered via online social networks. Further, delivery via online social networks may enable novel intervention designs employing realtime feedback.