PhilSci Archive

Why are there descriptive norms? Because we looked for them

Muldoon, Ryan and Lisciandra, Chiara and Hartmann, Stephan (2014) Why are there descriptive norms? Because we looked for them. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
 PDF
Because_we_looked_for_them_-_accepted.pdf - Accepted Version
Download (722kB)

Abstract

In this work, we present a mathematical model for the emergence of descriptive norms, where the individual decision problem is formalized with the standard Bayesian belief revision machinery. Previous work on the emergence of descriptive norms has relied on heuristic modeling. In this paper we show that with a Bayesian model we can provide a more general picture of the emergence of norms, which helps to motivate the assumptions made in heuristic models.
In our model, the priors formalize the belief that a certain behavior is a regularity. The evidence is provided by other group members' behavior and the likelihood by their reliability. We implement the model in a series of computer simulations and examine the group-level outcomes. We claim that domain-general belief revision helps explain why we look for regularities in social life in the first place. We argue that it is the disposition to look for regularities and react to them that generates descriptive norms. In our search for rules, we create them.

Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |
Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Muldoon, Ryanrmuldoon@sas.upenn.edu
Lisciandra, ChiaraChiara.lisciandra@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Hartmann, Stephans.hartmann@lmu.de0000-0001-8676-2177
Keywords: norms, simulation, agent-based model, bayesian updating, conformity
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Complex Systems
Specific Sciences > Economics
Specific Sciences > Sociology
Depositing User: Dr. Ryan Muldoon
Date Deposited: 03 Aug 2014 14:45
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2024 17:25
Item ID: 10921
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Complex Systems
Specific Sciences > Economics
Specific Sciences > Sociology
Date: 31 July 2014
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/10921

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item