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Who perished on the Titanic? The importance of social norms

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno S. Frey

    (University of Warwick, Switzerland, bruno.frey@econ.uzh.ch)

  • David A. Savage

    (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)

  • Benno Torgler

    (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)

Abstract

This paper seeks to empirically identify what factors make it more or less likely for people to survive in a life-threatening situation. Three factors relate to individual attributes of the persons onboard: physical strength, economic resources, and nationality. Two relate to social aspects : social support and social norms. The Titanic disaster is a life-or-death situation. Otherwise-disregarded aspects of human nature become apparent in such a dangerous situation. The empirical analysis supports the notion that social norms are a key determinant in extreme situations of life or death.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno S. Frey & David A. Savage & Benno Torgler, 2011. "Who perished on the Titanic? The importance of social norms," Rationality and Society, , vol. 23(1), pages 35-49, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:23:y:2011:i:1:p:35-49
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463110396059
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douglas D. Heckathorn, 1989. "Collective Action and the Second-Order Free-Rider Problem," Rationality and Society, , vol. 1(1), pages 78-100, July.
    2. BOSSERT, Walter & SUZUMURA, Kotaro, 2007. "Social Norms and Rationality of Choice," Cahiers de recherche 08-2007, Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en économie quantitative, CIREQ.
    3. Emily Chamlee-Wright & Virgil Henry Storr, 2009. "Club Goods and Post-Disaster Community Return," Rationality and Society, , vol. 21(4), pages 429-458, November.
    4. Elster, Jon, 1989. "Social Norms and Economic Theory," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 3(4), pages 99-117, Fall.
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    Cited by:

    1. Savage David A., 2016. "Surviving the Storm: Behavioural Economics in the Conflict Environment," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 22(2), pages 105-129, April.
    2. Jörg Stolz & Anaïd Lindemann & Jean-Philippe Antonietti, 2019. "Sociological explanation and mixed methods: the example of the Titanic," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 1623-1643, May.

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