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Conforming to Group Norms: An Experimental Study

Author

Listed:
  • Gautam Bose

    (School of Economics, Australian School of Business, the University of New South Wales)

  • Lorraine Ivancic

    (School of Economics, Australian School of Business, the University of New South Wales)

  • Evgenia Dechter

    (School of Economics, Australian School of Business, the University of New South Wales)

Abstract

There is substantial experimental and empirical evidence to suggest that individual behaviour in bilateral or small-group interactions is affected by social norms. Further, social norms vary according to context. Previous research largely focuses on norms of fairness, not norms per se. We design an experiment to decouple norm-adherence from fairness. We find that (a) a group norm evolves and individuals cluster more tightly around it as they learn the average behaviour of the group, (b) actions further from this norm in a self-serving direction are less acceptable by others, and (c) when an agent is moved to a group with a different norm, s/he conforms quickly to the new norm.

Suggested Citation

  • Gautam Bose & Lorraine Ivancic & Evgenia Dechter, 2014. "Conforming to Group Norms: An Experimental Study," Discussion Papers 2014-21, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    • Handle: RePEc:swe:wpaper:2014-21
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    File URL: http://research.economics.unsw.edu.au/RePEc/papers/2014-21.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    group behaviour; norms; conformism; fairness; ultimatum game;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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