The expression of norms and their cognitive representations

in a sample of norms related to basic human and civil right,, the influence of the expression of norms (explicitly expressed and implicit norms) on th eir cognitive representation distinguishing injunctive, descriptive and per sonal norms (IDP model) was studied. it was hypothesized that there will be a stranger acceptation of formally determined explicit norms and a differe ntiation of injunctive, descriptive and personal norms independently of the form of expression ol the basic rule (explicit vs, implicit norms). The ma nner of the expression of the norms was revealed to be an important factor in their perception. The explicit norms were assessed as being more binding in all parts of the IDP model, i.e. they were perceived as the more bindin g rules (the injunctive norms), as the more respected rules (the descriptiv e ones) and as the personally more accepted rules (the personal ones). As e xpected, identical elements were found in the injunctive, descriptive and p ersonal norms and in their general configuration, in the explicitly determi ned norms as well as the implicit ones, The results are interpreted in the context of the differentiation of types of social and personal norms.