The regulatory power of social expectations: developing a measurement scale

Abstract

Purpose

This research is devoted to the study of social expectations, and the purpose of this paper is to elaborate the instrument of their measurement based on the main spheres of influence.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted using a mixed methodology: a series of semistructured interviews and a survey. In the first stage, 15 interviews, and in the second phase, both online and offline surveys (306 participants) were conducted to test the social expectations scale designed. The qualitative phase highlighted the most important areas of social expectations, identifying how they can influence individual behavior. Afterward, the scale of social expectations was developed, and its prognostic function was confirmed.

Findings

It was revealed that expectations influence goal setting, motivation, public opinion orientation, emotional experience and decision-making.

Originality/value

This study is an attempt to construct a measurement tool for social expectations and close the gap for many studies that used the concept without operationalization.

Citation

Parfenova, A. and Kozlova, M. (2023), "The regulatory power of social expectations: developing a measurement scale", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 43 No. 5/6, pp. 569-585. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-06-2022-0139