Identifying Environmental Effects on Alcohol Use and Social-Norms: The Socio-environmental Context Model

Abstract

Building from the social norms approach, the following study uses the theoretical and empirical literature to guide the development of a conceptual model that can be used in studying the effects of environment on alcohol use and social norms. This model, referred to as the socio-environmental context model, contains four dimensions that each play a unique role in the environment's influence on alcohol use and social norms. The following research demonstrates how applying this conceptual model can help attain a better understanding of the environmental effects on alcohol use and social norms that exist within a given environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Socio-environmental context
• alcohol
• social norms
• kickball
• young adults

Notes

1. The name All-Star Kickball League is fictitious and used for the sake of the league's privacy. Information on the history of the league and the rules/guidelines are all taken from publically available documentation provided by the league itself.

2. The use of this technology by the ASKL may initially not be considered a component of the ASKL environment. However, the socio-environmental context model defines its social dimension as the extent to which social interactions are able to be created, facilitated, and reinforced by a given environment. Adhering to this definition, this technology does have a direct impact on the social interaction within the environment formed by the ASKL and therefore is a characteristic recognized when using the socio-environmental context model.