Dictator Game Giving: The Importance of Descriptive versus Injunctive Norms.

ABSTRACT: Human behaviour is influenced by social norms but norms can entail two types of information. Descriptive norms refer to what others do in this context, while injunctive norms refer to what ought to be done to ensure social approval. In many real-world situations these norms are often presented concurrently meaning that their independent effects on behaviour are difficult to establish. Here we used an online Dictator Game to test how descriptive and injunctive norms would influence dictator donations when presented independently of one another. In addition, we varied the cost of complying with the norm: By stating that $0.20 or $0.50 cent donations from a $1 stake were normal or suggested, respectively. Specifying a higher target amount was associated with increased mean donation size. In c

SUBMITTER: Raihani NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4262257 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature