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Motivated information acquisition and social norm formation

Author

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  • Eugen Dimant
  • Fabio Galeotti
  • Marie Claire Villeval

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - EM - EMLyon Business School - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

We investigate how individuals select sources of information about peers' behavior and normative views, and the influence of this social information on individual behavior and both empirical and normative expectations. This is explored through two experiments (N=1,945; N=2,414) using a lying game, with and without known political identification. Our findings reveal a self-serving bias in the selection of information sources, with a preference for lenient sources (i.e., those presenting more tolerant empirical or normative information about lying), particularly when these sources align with an individual's political identity. We observe that being exposed to information that suggests lying is more socially acceptable increases lying behavior. Additionally, while people's normative expectations are not swayed by observing their peers' actions, these expectations are influenced by information about what peers believe is the right thing to do, underscoring the role of normative information in shaping social norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugen Dimant & Fabio Galeotti & Marie Claire Villeval, 2024. "Motivated information acquisition and social norm formation," Post-Print hal-04740082, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04740082
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104778
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04740082v1
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    Keywords

    Social norms; Information acquisition; Peer effects; Group identity; Lying; Experiment;
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