Behaviors are determined, at least in part, by expectations about the costs and benefits of one’s actions, including social approval or disapproval (Akers et al., 1979; Bandura, 1977, 1986). However, individual behaviors are also likely to be influenced by group-level acceptance or approval, also known as group norms (Armitage and Conner, 2001). Regarding marijuana, more positive beliefs and greater likelihood of use are more likely among individuals in communities or geographic areas with more approving norms (Lipperman-Kreda and Grube, 2009; Lipperman-Kreda et al., 2010).
