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Defectors, not norm violators, are punished by third-parties
Jonathan Bone1, Antonio S Silva2, Nichola J Raihani3
1CoMPLEX, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Biology Letters
|August 1, 2014
Summary
Punishing norm violators is common, but why atypical behavior is punished more is unclear. This study found punishment is not always higher for atypical behavior, suggesting cost to the punisher, not just norm violation, influences decisions.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
- Game Theory
Background:
- Punishment of individuals deviating from social norms is frequently observed.
- The reasons why atypical behavior elicits more punishment than typical behavior are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether punishment of defectors decreases when defection is the typical behavior.
- To test the hypothesis that punishment is primarily a response to norm violation.
Main Methods:
- A public goods game incorporating third-party punishment was employed.
- The cost of punishment was held constant, irrespective of the number of individuals punished.
Main Results:
- Atypical behavior was not punished more frequently than typical behavior.
- The majority of punishment was directed at defectors, regardless of whether defecting was typical or atypical.
Conclusions:
- Reduced punishment of common defector behavior may be attributed to the punisher's costs, rather than solely to norm violation.
- Further research is needed to explore the cost-benefit analysis in third-party punishment decisions.
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