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Geographical Distributions and Equilibrium in Social Norm-Related Behavior in the United States

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  • Coleman, Stephen

Abstract

This research examines the geographical distribution of behavior in line with social norms that are spread and maintained primarily by the effect of social conformity. These include widely held norms that good citizens vote, don’t commit crimes, get flu vaccinations, abstain from binge drinking, and comply with census reporting. A partial differential equation model is used to determine whether such behavior may have attained a geospatial equilibrium in the United States. An equilibrium, as the end state of a diffusion process, has definitive mathematical properties that can be used to test for equilibrium. This is done using recent data for the 48 contiguous states. Results confirm that behavior for several important social norms fits the equilibrium model geographically. Policy implications are briefly discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Coleman, Stephen, 2018. "Geographical Distributions and Equilibrium in Social Norm-Related Behavior in the United States," MPRA Paper 96207, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:96207
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cho, Wendy K Tam & Rudolph, Thomas J, 2008. "Emanating Political Participation: Untangling the Spatial Structure Behind Participation," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(2), pages 273-289, April.
    2. Knack, Stephen & Kropf, Martha, 1998. "For shame! The effect of community cooperative context on the probability of voting," MPRA Paper 27258, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Coleman, Stephen, 2004. "The Effect of Social Conformity on Collective Voting Behavior," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(1), pages 76-96, January.
    4. Stephen Knack, 1992. "Civic Norms, Social Sanctions, and Voter Turnout," Rationality and Society, , vol. 4(2), pages 133-156, April.
    5. Gerber, Alan S. & Green, Donald P. & Larimer, Christopher W., 2008. "Social Pressure and Voter Turnout: Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Experiment," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 102(1), pages 33-48, February.
    6. Ernesto Calvo & Marcelo Escolar, 2003. "The Local Voter: A Geographically Weighted Approach to Ecological Inference," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 47(1), pages 189-204, January.
    7. Julia B Wenger & Elena N Naumova, 2010. "Seasonal Synchronization of Influenza in the United States Older Adult Population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(4), pages 1-11, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    : social norms; social conformity; geographical; spatial; mathematical model; United States; crime; voting; binge drinking; vaccination; census reporting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C2 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D7 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making

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