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Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

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Rational learners and parochial norms.

Scott Partington¹, Shaun Nichols², Tamar Kushnir³

¹Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RH, United Kingdom.

|January 20, 2023

Summary

People can rationally learn social norms, not just rely on tribal biases. Adults and older children use statistical evidence to understand norm scope, while younger children tend to assume inclusivity.

Keywords:

Cognitive development Norms psychology Social learning Statistical learning

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Science
Developmental Psychology
Social Psychology

Background:

Parochial norms apply to specific groups, unlike inclusive norms.
Traditional views attribute norm acquisition to tribal biases and in-group favoritism.
Rational learning offers an alternative explanation for inferring norm scope.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and test a rational learning account of parochial norm acquisition.
To investigate how statistical evidence influences judgments of social norm scope.
To examine age-related differences in norm acquisition using statistical evidence.

Main Methods:

Two studies were conducted with adults (N=480) and children (ages 5-8, N=120).
Participants observed violations of novel rules from unfamiliar groups.
Statistical evidence was manipulated to assess inferences about norm scope (parochial vs. inclusive).

Main Results:

Adults appropriately used statistical evidence to determine norm scope.
Seven- to eight-year-olds used statistical evidence, while five- to six-year-olds showed an inclusive bias.
Bayesian analysis suggested a general inclusivity bias across age groups.

Conclusions:

Rational learning, supported by statistical evidence, can explain parochial norm acquisition.
Developmental differences exist in using statistical evidence for norm scope inference.
Tribalist biases are not the sole explanation for acquiring parochial social norms.