Social Norms and Cooperation in Real-Life Social Dilemmas

Posted: 6 Aug 2008

See all articles by John Thoegersen

John Thoegersen

Aarhus University - Department of Marketing and Statistics

Abstract

The hypothesis, that injunctive and descriptive norms interact positively or synergistically to promote cooperation in social dilemmas, is tested in the context of a survey study focusing on environmentally responsible behaviour. Measurement error and strong and positive correlations between the two types of normative beliefs make it difficult to test the interaction hypothesis. By using structural equation modelling with residual centering, these problems are overcome and the interaction hypothesis is confirmed. The result is stable across three replications spanning a two-year period.

Keywords: Social norms, Descriptive norms, Injunctive norms, Social dilemma, Survey, Environmental behaviour

JEL Classification: C71, Z13

Suggested Citation

Thoegersen, John, Social Norms and Cooperation in Real-Life Social Dilemmas. Journal of Economic Psychology, Vol. 29, No. 4, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1204502

John Thoegersen (Contact Author)

Aarhus University - Department of Marketing and Statistics ( email )

Haslegårdsvej 10
Århus V
Denmark

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