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Are moral norms distinct from social norms? A critical assessment of Jon Elster and Cristina Bicchieri

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  • Benoît Dubreuil
  • Jean-François Grégoire

Abstract

This article offers a critical assessment of Cristina Bicchieri and Jon Elster’s recent attempt to distinguish between social, moral, and quasi-moral norms. Although their typologies present interesting differences, they both distinguish types of norms on the basis of the way in which context, and especially other agents’ expectations and behavior, shapes one’s preference to comply with norms. We argue that both typologies should be abandoned because they fail to capture causally relevant features of norms. We nevertheless emphasize that both Bicchieri and Elster correctly draw attention to important and often neglected characteristics of the psychology of norm compliance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Benoît Dubreuil & Jean-François Grégoire, 2013. "Are moral norms distinct from social norms? A critical assessment of Jon Elster and Cristina Bicchieri," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 75(1), pages 137-152, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:theord:v:75:y:2013:i:1:p:137-152
    DOI: 10.1007/s11238-012-9342-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bicchieri, Cristina & Erte, Xiao, 2007. "Do the right thing: But only if others do so," MPRA Paper 4609, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Bicchieri,Cristina, 2006. "The Grammar of Society," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521574907.
    3. Kagel, John H. & Kim, Chung & Moser, Donald, 1996. "Fairness in Ultimatum Games with Asymmetric Information and Asymmetric Payoffs," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 100-110, March.
    4. Guala,Francesco, 2005. "The Methodology of Experimental Economics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521618618, September.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Dickinson, David L., 2023. "Dark versus Light Personality Types and Moral Choice," IZA Discussion Papers 16338, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Carlos Andres Trujillo & Catalina Estrada-Mejia & Jose A Rosa, 2021. "Norm-focused nudges influence pro-environmental choices and moderate post-choice emotional responses," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-23, March.
    5. Miliute-Plepiene, Jurate & Hage, Olle & Plepys, Andrius & Reipas, Algirdas, 2016. "What motivates households recycling behaviour in recycling schemes of different maturity? Lessons from Lithuania and Sweden," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 40-52.
    6. McBride, Michael & Ridinger, Garret, 2021. "Beliefs also make social-norm preferences social," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 765-784.

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