Observability, Social Proximity, and the Erosion of Norm Compliance
74 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2020
There are 3 versions of this paper
Social Proximity and the Erosion of Norm Compliance
Observability, Social Proximity, and the Erosion of Norm Compliance
Social Proximity and the Erosion of Norm Compliance
Date Written: 2020
Abstract
We study how an individual's compliance with social norms is influenced by other actors' norm compliance. In a repeated non-strategic Take-or-Give donation experiment we show that giving is considered socially appropriate while taking is socially inappropriate. Observing norm violations erodes an individual's own norm compliance. We show that the erosion of norm compliance is led by a change in norm-related beliefs. This change has a major effect on individuals who initially obey the norm, driving them to non-compliance, whereas initially non-compliant individuals do not change their taking behavior. Erosion is halted when individuals have even minimal social proximity to those they observe: individuals now also pay attention to norm followers.
Keywords: norm compliance, social norms, social proximity
JEL Classification: C920, D640, D900
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation