Social Norming Programing

Positive Peer Norms

Imagine Postive Behavior as the Norm, not the exception. That's what social norming is all about and The Conflict Center can make it happen.

What Is Social Norming?
Social norming is based on the concept that most students engage in positive, healthy behaviors, but they believe their peers engage in negative unhealthy behaviors. As a result, many students do things they personally believe are wrong in order to gain acceptance by their peers. Social norming is a strength-based approach that builds upon the assets that students already possess, namely the positive behaviors they already incorporate into their daily lives.

Social norming works by identifying gaps between actual and perceived norms of acceptable behavior within a specific population, and then educating students on the actual norms by means of messaging campaigns and “positive peer pressure.”

Applications

Social norming has a long track record of effectiveness when used to address a wide range of issues, from smoking to binge drinking to bullying. When students have a more accurate perception of positive behaviors that are acceptable by their peers, it is less likely they will engage in negative, harmful or violent behavior as a means of seeking peer acceptance. By educating students on the actual social norms of behavior, we help to reduce the level of physical, verbal and emotional violence in schools and create a culture of peace and non-violence.

The Conflict Center uses social norming techniques to create a safer learning environment for students. We are currently engaged in two social norming projects around the topic of teen dating violence and relationship violence.

These programs are being conducted at two high schools in the Denver-Aurora area. They are designed to prevent teen dating violence and sexual assault by reducing risk factors and building protective factors, both of which are supported by a healthy understanding of the social norms around dating and relationships. These efforts will produce both short-term and long-term results as teens learn that violence is not an acceptable part of relationships and carry that knowledge into their adult lives.

Current Programing

The Conflict Center is in partnership with two Denver Public Schools as well as Project PAVE a community nonprofit with expertise in Teen Dating Violence Prevention.

With the support of school administrators, faculty, parents and the community, The Conflict Center Along with Project PAVE work with Youth in the schools to raise awareness on intimate relationship violence within their school.  Project PAVE delivers Teen Dating Violence curriculum to students at the school. Our partnership recruits team members from student body. Our partnership trains youth team in Social Emotional Skills and Peer Leadership, Project PAVE trains youth team around sexual assault and intimate relationship violence issues. The Conflict Center Administers our annual social norms survey. The Conflict Center analyzes survey results to develop baseline data documenting misperceptions around sexual assault and intimate partner violence. The Conflict Center works with the youth team to design social norming campaign, Marketing Healthy Relationship Norms.  

Social Norming Posters





North High- Bullying Prevention
East High -Dating Violence Prevention