Local norms of cheating and the cultural evolution of crime and punishment: a study of two urban neighborhoods.

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of antisocial behavior varies across time and place. The likelihood of committing such behavior is affected by, and also affects, the local social environment. To further our understanding of this dynamic process, we conducted two studies of antisocial behavior, punishment, and social norms. These studies took place in two neighborhoods in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. According to a previous study, Neighborhood A enjoys relatively low frequencies of antisocial behavior and crime and high levels of social capital. In contrast, Neighborhood B is characterized by relatively high frequencies of antisocial behavior and crime and low levels of social capital. In Study 1, we used an economic game to assess neighborhood differences in theft, third-party punishment (3PP) of theft, a

SUBMITTER: Schroeder KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4103098 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature