What a Theory of Social Norms and Institutions Should Look Like
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Karl-Dieter Opp
Abstract
In the previous issue of Analyse & Kritik (2020, vol. 42, issue 1) Alexander Vostroknutov (3-39) aims at a ‘synthesis’ of economics with ‘psychology, sociology, and evolutionary human biology.’ This paper argues that his approach needs to be complemented at least by work from sociologists and social psychologists. Starting with problems of defining and measuring norms it is then claimed that a theory of norms should address the origin, change and effects of norms and model micromacro processes. This should also be the goal of a theory of institutions (which are defined here as sets of norms-norms in the sense of accepting oughtness statements). We show how the social psychological value expectancy theory can be applied to model the variety of incentives that could play a role in explaining the effects of norms. Regarding the origin Coleman’s theory of norms is applied to show how Vostroknutov’s dissatisfaction-norms hypothesis can be improved.
© 2020 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Contents
- Focus Experiments on Social Norms II
- Altruistic Punishment: The Golden Keystone of Human Cooperation and Social Stability?
- Measuring Social Norms in Economics: Why It Is Important and How It Is Done
- What a Theory of Social Norms and Institutions Should Look Like
- The Legitimacy of Groups: Toward a We-Reasoning View
- General Part
- Social Integration and Right-Wing Populist Voting in Germany
- On How Expertise Ascriptions Work
- Expertise as a Form of Knowledge: A Response to Quast
- Discussion
- Précis: Our Moral Fate: Evolution And The Escape From Tribalism
- Varieties of Tribalism in the Laboratory
- The Meaning of Mass Atrocities Beyond Our Moral Fate
Articles in the same Issue
- Contents
- Focus Experiments on Social Norms II
- Altruistic Punishment: The Golden Keystone of Human Cooperation and Social Stability?
- Measuring Social Norms in Economics: Why It Is Important and How It Is Done
- What a Theory of Social Norms and Institutions Should Look Like
- The Legitimacy of Groups: Toward a We-Reasoning View
- General Part
- Social Integration and Right-Wing Populist Voting in Germany
- On How Expertise Ascriptions Work
- Expertise as a Form of Knowledge: A Response to Quast
- Discussion
- Précis: Our Moral Fate: Evolution And The Escape From Tribalism
- Varieties of Tribalism in the Laboratory
- The Meaning of Mass Atrocities Beyond Our Moral Fate
