Norms in the Wild: How to Diagnose, Measure, and Change Social Norms
Cristina Bicchieri - Oxford University Press, 2017
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| Anteprima |
In
Norms in the Wild, distinguished philosopher Cristina Bicchieri argues
that when it comes to human behavior, social scientists place too much
stress on rational deliberation. In fact, she says, many choices occur
without much deliberation at all. Two people passing in a
corridorautomatically negotiate their shared space; cars at an
intersection obey traffic signals; we choose clothing based on our
instincts for what is considered appropriate. Bicchieri's theory of
social norms accounts for these automatic components of coordination,
where individuals react automatically tocues that focus their attention
on what the norm is in that situation. Social norms thus act as rules
for making choices in a social world where people expect others - often
unconsciously - to follow the same rule. Some norms enable seamless
social co-operation, while others are less beneficial tohuman
flourishing.Bicchieri is famous for her interdisciplinary work on game
theory and most recently her work on social norms, and Norms in the Wild
represents her latest challenge to many of the fundamental assumptions
of the social sciences. Bicchieri's work has broad implications not only
for understanding humanbehavior, but for changing it for better
outcomes. People have a strongly conditioned preference for following
social norms, but that also means that manipulating their expectations
can cause major behavioral changes. Bicchieri has been working recently
with UNICEF and other NGO's to explore theapplicability of her views to
issues of human rights around the world. Is it possible to change social
expectations around forced marriage, genital mutilations, and public
health practices like vaccinations and sanitation? If so, how? What
tools might we use? This short book explores how socialnorms work, and
how changing them - changing preferences, beliefs, and especially social
expectations - can potentially improve lives all around the world. It
will appeal to an unusually broad range of readers including
philosophers, psychologists and others in behavioral sciences, and
anyoneinvolved in public policy or at NGOs.
