Question

Pamela observes that people don't sit next to strangers on the subway when there are empty seats available. She notices this also happens on the bus, in the movie theater, and in the cafeteria. Pamela's observations suggest that people's behavior in these situations is governed by:

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is: Social Norms.

Explanation: Social norms can be understood as informal rules that help individuals adapt to a certain society. They are not set in stone and each culture has its own set of socially acceptable behaviors that aid coexistence.

Not adhering or deviating from said social norms can be problematic and non-adaptative for individuals and may receive a rejection from people from said society.

In this particular case, the fact that people don't sit next to strangers on the subway, bus, cafeteria and movie theater when there are empty seats available, suggest that people's behavior in these situations is governed by social norms.