Center for Social Norms & Behavioral Dynamics
Research
Our Current Projects
The Longitudinal Evaluation of Network and Norms Study (LENNS) around sanitation in India
Working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we are implementing a five-year study to analyze and transform Social Networks and Social Norms related to open defecation in the Bihar and Tamil Nadu regions of India.
International Survey on Expectations and Compliance during the COVID Pandemic
We conducted a large-scale survey experiment in nine countries with representative samples of the population to explore compliance with preventive health policies such as social distancing, wearing masks and staying at home.
The Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG) project around corruption in Nigeria
Together with the Chatham House Africa Programme, we are exploring the drivers of corruption and the role of religion in anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. Understanding both how corruption functions as a collective practice and the social markers that determine what actions are acceptable or disapproved of by citizens is crucial to tackling the issue.
Sociocentric Network Analysis of Indian Communities linked to the LENNS study
We are analyzing sociocentric data on reference networks in places close to our main LENNS intervention sites.
New Research
Core Materials
The Grammar of Society (book)
Drawing on several intellectual traditions and methods, including those of social psychology, experimental economics and evolutionary game theory, Bicchieri provides an integrated account of how social norms emerge, why and when we follow them, and the situations where we are most likely to focus on relevant norms.
Applying Social Norms Theory in CATS Programming (report)
The primary goal of this document is to provide the necessary information on the importance, nature and application of the theory of social norms to sanitation specialists. This document distills insights from joint collaborations with UNICEF, and aims to promote positive social change with regard to many harmful collective patterns of behavior related to sanitation.
Norms in the Wild (book)
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 social norms work, and how changing them – changing preferences, beliefs, and especially social expectations – can potentially improve lives all around the world.
Social Determinants of Open Defecation: Phase 2 Materials (report)
In the second phase of our study of the social determinants of open defecation in India, we have produced a report detailing our diagnosis of a series of collective behaviors relevant to open defecation. We also describe patterns among our norms data to previously collected social network data. Furthermore, we track changes over time and other relevant patterns.
Our Research Database
UNICEF-Mali: Normes sociales liées à Le mariage d’enfants
Abstract:
This report aims to analyze social norms related to child marriage and the eating habits of children under the age of 2 in the Sikasso and Kayes regions. The results of the study will enable UNICEF to better inform its Chapters and Mali to better understand the socio-cultural dynamics that hinder the change of gender in relation to child marriage, exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
UNICEF Pakistan: WASH Sustainability Check
Abstract:
This study focuses on Rural ODF Status (exclusive latrine use in ODF certified villages – behavioral sustainability) and continued functionality of RWSS (drinking water only) in the geographic region of two provinces in Pakistan, Sindh and Punjab. Our chief role was to develop, integrate and analyze social norms measures as part of the larger sustainability check. This report presents those methods, measures and findings.
The Role of Trendsetters in the Popularization and Adoption of the Swachh Bharat Mission
Abstract:
This UNICEF India report sheds light on whether (and to what degree) trendsetters were involved and may have influenced the social diffusion of Swachh Bharat Mission in India. Understanding who trendsetters are and how they can be motivated to act is an important step in building a comprehensive theory of social change. The present research is particularly important for India’s policy efforts post-ODF, as continuous support from stakeholders is necessary to sustain toilet use and maintenance.
Social Norms Manual: Zimbabwe and Swaziland
Abstract:
A Social Norms Manual produced for Zimbabwe and Swaziland as part of the UNICEF Office of Research’s Multi-Country Study on the Drivers of Violence Affecting Children. This manual serves as a guide to key concepts in the social norms framework with examples pertaining to the countries and programming areas.
Social Determinants of Open Defecation: Phase 1 Materials
Abstract:
In the first phase of our study of the social determinants of open defecation in India, we have produced a report detailing how social networks influence latrine ownership. We also explore demographic predictors of ownership and use and how our findings differ from existing literature. We explore how these network data link to norms data in our Phase 2 report.
Social Determinants of Open Defecation: Phase 2 Materials
Abstract:
In the second phase of our study of the social determinants of open defecation in India, we have produced a report detailing our diagnosis of a series of collective behaviors relevant to open defecation. We also describe patterns among our norms data to previously collected social network data. Furthermore, we track changes over time and other relevant patterns.
Nadar en Contra de la Corriente
Abstract:
2019 Spanish translated version of Bicchieri’s Norms in the Wild (2016). A partir de una rigurosa investigación, Cristina Bicchieri ofrece en estas páginas elementos para entender cómo se relacionan las acciones individuales con los comportamientos grupales, y comprueba con evidencias que es posible transformar una sociedad a través de la educación y mediante las actuaciones individuales.
Link:
https://revistas.flacsoandes.edu.ec/mundosplurales/article/view/4552
Shifting Social Norms to Mitigate Climate Change in the Anthropocene: A Review and Practical Guide
Abstract:
In this upcoming publication we synthesize the literature on social norm creation, change, and measurement from the perspectives of psychology, anthropology, sociology, and economics, and discuss opportunities and challenges for the application of social norm interventions to promote climate action. We argue that social norm interventions aimed at climate action and/or other social dilemmas are promising but no panacea. They require in-depth contextual knowledge and a high degree of tailoring and problem-specific pre-testing before they can be effectively implemented at scale. Our review tries to provide policy makers with the insights and tools to do so.
In Science we (should) trust: expectations and compliance during the Covid-19 pandemic
Abstract:
The magnitude and nature of the COVID-19 pandemic prevents public health policies from relying on coercive enforcement. Practicing social distancing, wearing masks and staying at home are voluntary and conditional on the behavior of others. We present the results of a large-scale survey experiment in nine countries with representative samples of the population. We find that both empirical expectations (what others do) and normative expectations (what others approve of) play a significant role in compliance, beyond the effect of any other individual or group characteristic. Our results are driven by an asymmetric interaction with individuals’ trust in government and science.
Collective Action on Corruption in Nigeria: A Social Norms Approach to Connecting Society and Institutions
Bibliography:
Hoffmann, L. K., & Patel, R. N. (2021, March 25). Collective action on corruption in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/03/collective-action-corruption-nigeria
Abstract:
This report aims to diagnose what drives corrupt behaviour in Nigeria, and the types of beliefs that support practices understood to be corrupt. Its findings are based largely on a national household survey jointly developed by the Chatham House Africa Programme and the University of Pennsylvania’s Social Norms Group (PennSONG), in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics as well as a network of academics and practitioners from Nigerian universities and NGOs. The findings present new evidence of the social beliefs and expectations that influence some day-today forms of corruption in Nigeria. Fuller details of the survey and associated research are given in the body of the report, as well as in the annex to the main text.
Sustaining Safe Sanitation and Hygiene Practices through Enhanced Behavior Change Communication Models
Abstract:
This report summarizes the pre-training preparatory field visit to Nambale and Nyando Districts that took place on November 29 and 30, and the training work done at the Morendat Training Centre in Naivasha from December 3 to December 6. The training revolved around Cristina Bicchieri’s account of social norms (cf. her The Grammar of Society, Cambridge University Press, 2005.) The main aim of the training was to show how the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to eradicate open defecation and Social Norm Theory (SNT) can be readily harmonized and how elements of CLTS can be better understood when looked at through the lens of SNT.
Women are more likely to expect social sanctions for open defecation: Evidence from Tamil Nadu India
Bibliography:
Kuang J, Ashraf S, Shpenev A, Delea MG, Das U, Bicchieri C (2020) Women are more likely to expect social sanctions for open defecation: Evidence from Tamil Nadu India. PLoS ONE 15(10): e0240477.
Why do so Few People Share Fake News? It Hurts Their Reputation
Bibliography:
Altay, S., Hacquin, A., & Mercier, H. (2019, October 1). Why do so Few People Share Fake News? It Hurts Their Reputation.
When a Nudge Backfires: Combining (Im)Plausible Deniability with Social and Economic Incentives to Promote Pro-Social Behavioral Change (with G. Bolton & U. Schmidt), under review.
Bibliography:
Bolton, Gary and Dimant, Eugen and Schmidt, Ulrich, When a Nudge Backfires: Combining (Im)Plausible Deniability with Social and Economic Incentives to Promote Pro-Social Behavioral Change (March 26, 2020).
Using Social Norms to Change Behavior and Increase Sustainability in the Real World: a Systematic Review of the Literature. Sustainability
Bibliography:
Yamin, P.; Fei, M.; Lahlou, S.; Levy, S. (2019). Using Social Norms to Change Behavior and Increase Sustainability in the Real World: a Systematic Review of the Literature. Sustainability, 11, 5847.
Under influence
Bibliography:
Frédérique de Vignemont, Hugo Mercier. Under influence. Hilary Kornblith and Brian McLaughlin. Alvin Goldman and his Critics, Blackwell, pp.00-00, 2013.
Trustworthiness is a social norm, but trusting is not.
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., Xiao, E., & Muldoon, R. (2011). Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 10(2), 170-187. doi:10.1177/1470594X10387260
The challenge of innovation pilots
Bibliography:
Guillot, J., Christiansen, J., and Parra, J. (2019, March 6). The challenge of innovation pilots.
Social Norms Manual: Viet Nam, Indonesia and the Philippines
Abstract:
Drawing on several intellectual traditions and methods, including those of social psychology, experimental economics and evolutionary game theory, Bicchieri provides an integrated account of how social norms emerge, why and when we follow them, and the situations where we are most likely to focus on relevant norms.
Social Norms
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. & Muldoon, R., (2011) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Slipping on slippery slope arguments
Bibliography:
Fumagalli, R. (2020). Slipping on slippery slope arguments. Bioethics, 34(4), 412-419.
Shrieking sirens: Schemata, scripts, and social norms: How change occurs
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., & McNally, P. (2018). Social Philosophy and Policy, 35(1), 23-53.
Sanitation practices during early phases of COVID-19 lockdown in peri-urban communities in Tamil Nadu, India
Bibliography:
Ashraf, S., Bicchieri, C., Das, U & Kuang, J. (2020, September 29). Sanitation practices during early phases of COVID-19 lockdown in peri-urban communities in Tamil Nadu, India.
Requiem for a Nudge: Framing Effects in Nudging Honesty
Bibliography:
Dimant, E., van Kleef, G. A., & Shalvi, S. (2020). Requiem for a nudge: Framing effects in nudging honesty. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 172, 247-266.
Perceptions of Autonomy, Inequality, and Fairness
Bibliography:
Aldama, A., Bicchieri, C., Freundt, J., Mellers, B., & Peters, E. (2020). Perceptions of Autonomy, Inequality, and Fairness. Inequality, and Fairness (March 19, 2020).
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure: In search of an efficient property regime for waste in the Global South
Bibliography:
Danese, G. (2021). One person’s trash is another person’s treasure: In search of an efficient property regime for waste in the Global South. Waste Management., 128, 251–260.
On the emergence of descriptive norms
Bibliography:
Muldoon, R., Lisciandra, C., Bicchieri, C., Hartmann, S., & Sprenger, J. (2014). Politics, Philosophy & Economics,13(1), 3-22. doi:10.1177/1470594X12447791
Observability, Social Proximity, and the Erosion of Norm Compliance (with C. Bicchieri, S. Gächter & D. Nosenzo), under review.
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, Cristina and Dimant, Eugen and Gachter, Simon and Nosenzo, Daniele, Observability, Social Proximity, and the Erosion of Norm Compliance (March 23, 2020).
Nudging with Care: The Risks and Benefits of Social Information
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., & Dimant, E. (2019). Public Choice, forthcoming.
Norms, preferences and conditional behavior
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. (2010). Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 9(3), 297-313. doi: 10.1177/1470594X10369276
Norms, conventions, and the power of expectation
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. (2015). In N. Cartwright & E. Montuschi (Eds.), Philosophy of social science: A new introduction (pp. 208-232). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Norms in the Wild
Abstract:
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 social norms work, and how changing them – changing preferences, beliefs, and especially social expectations – can potentially improve lives all around the world.
Norms and Social Network–Centric Behavior Change Intervention (Nam Nalavazhvu) for Improved Toilet Usage in Peri-Urban Communities of Tamil Nadu: Protocol for a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Bibliography:
Ashraf, S., Bicchieri, C., Delea, M. G., Das, U., Chauhan, K., Kuang, J., … & Thulin, E. (2021). Norms and Social Network–Centric Behavior Change Intervention (Nam Nalavazhvu) for Improved Toilet Usage in Peri-Urban Communities of Tamil Nadu: Protocol for a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR research protocols, 10(5), e24407.
Norms and beliefs: How change occurs
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. & Mercier H. (2014). In M. Xenitidou & B. Edmonds (Eds.) The complexity of social norms (pp. 37-54). New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.
Norm manipulation, norm evasion: experimental evidence
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., & Chavez, A. K. (2013). Economics and Philosophy, 29(02), 175-198.
Norm Change: Trendsetters and Social Structure
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C & Funcke, A. (2018). Social Research: An International Quarterly, 85(1), 1-21.
Local determinants of driving behaviours: Installation Theory interventions to reduce fuel consumption among truck drivers in Colombia
Bibliography:
Yamin, P., Lahlou, S., Ortega, S., & Skrickij, V. (2021). Local determinants of driving behaviours: Installation Theory interventions to reduce fuel consumption among truck drivers in Colombia. Transport, 35(6), 616-634.
Justification and conformity
Bibliography:
Erte Xiao (2017) “Justification and Conformity”. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organisation, 136, 15-28.
It’s Not A Lie If You Believe It: Lying and Belief Distortion Under Norm-Uncertainty
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., Dimant, E., & Sonderegger, S. (forthcoming).
Isolating the effect of injunctive norms on conservation behavior: New evidence from a field experiment in California
Bibliography:
Bhanot, S. P. (2018). Isolating the effect of injunctive norms on conservation behavior: New evidence from a field experiment in California. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
Is participation contagious? Evidence from a household vector control campaign in urban Peru.
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. & Buttenheim, A. (2013). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68, 103-109.
Human Punishment Behavior
Bibliography:
Erte Xiao (2019) “Human Punishment Behavior”. Oxford Research Encyclopedia, Economics and Finance. Oxford University Press USA.
How Trendsetters Shaped India’s Massive Sanitation Campaign
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., McNally, P., Ghai, S., & Patel, R. (2019, September 20). How Trendsetters Shaped India’s Massive Sanitation Campaign.
Grammar of Society
Abstract:
Drawing on several intellectual traditions and methods, including those of social psychology, experimental economics and evolutionary game theory, Bicchieri provides an integrated account of how social norms emerge, why and when we follow them, and the situations where we are most likely to focus on relevant norms.
Good for You or Good for Us?: A Field Experiment on Motivating Citizen Behavior Change.
Bibliography:
Bhanot, S.P. Good for You or Good for Us?: A Field Experiment on Motivating Citizen Behavior Change. Journal of Behavioral Public Administration. (Forthcoming).
Game-Theoretic Accounts of Social Norms: The Role of Normative Expectations
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., & Sontuoso, A. (2017). In R. Croson, M. Capra, M. I. Rigdon, & T. Rosenblat (Eds)., Handbook of Experimental Game Theory. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Framing messages for vaccination supporters
Bibliography:
Altay, S., & Mercier, H. (2020). Framing messages for vaccination supporters. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 26(4), 567–578.
Ethical challenges of using video for qualitative research and ethnography
Bibliography:
Everri, M., Heitmayer, M., Yamin, P., Lahlou, S. (2020). Ethical challenges of using video for qualitative research and ethnography. In: Lähdesmäki, Tuuli, Koskinen-Koivisto, Eerika, Čeginskas, Viktorija L.A. and Koistinen, Aino-Kaisa, (eds.) Challenges and Solutions in Ethnographic Research: Ethnography with a Twist. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon, pp. 68-83. ISBN 9780367376888.
Do the right thing: but only if others do so.
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. & Xiao, E. (2009). Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 22(2), 191-208.
Do descriptive norms messaging interventions backfire? Protocol for a systematic review of the boomerang effect
Bibliography:
Kuang, Jinyi & Delea, Maryann & Thulin, Erik & Bicchieri, Cristina. (2020). Do descriptive norms messaging interventions backfire? Protocol for a systematic review of the boomerang effect. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-18161/v1.
Deviant or Wrong? The Effects of Norm Information on the Efficacy of Punishment
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., Dimant, E., & Xiao, E. (2021). Deviant or wrong? The effects of norm information on the efficacy of punishment. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 188, 209-235.
COVID-19 in India: Immense Role for HealthCare Field Workers
Bibliography:
Ashraf, S. (2020, April 1).
COVID-19 and Toilet-use in India: Why Continued Attention is Needed?
Bibliography:
Ashraf, S. (2020, April 27).
Contagion of Pro- and Anti-Social Behavior Among Peers and the Role of Social Proximity
Bibliography:
Dimant, E. (2019). Contagion of pro-and anti-social behavior among peers and the role of social proximity. Journal of Economic Psychology, 73, 66-88.
Can trust facilitate bribery? Experimental evidence from China, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., Willem, J.W., & Jiang, T. (2015). Social Cognition, 5, 484-504.
Bias in the perceived prevalence of open defecation: Evidence from Bihar, India
Bibliography:
Kuang J, Thulin E, Ashraf S, Shpenev A, Das U, Delea MG, et al. (2020) Bias in the perceived prevalence of open defecation: Evidence from Bihar, India. PLoS ONE 15(9): e0238627.
Behavioural Insights in Consultation Design: A Dialogical Architecture
Bibliography:
Cafaggi, F., & Sillari, G. (2018). Behavioural Insights in Consultation Design: A Dialogical Architecture. European Journal of Risk Regulation, 9(4), 603-631.
Behaving as expected: Public information and fairness norms.
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C. & Chavez, A. (2010).Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 23(2), 161-178.
Bad luck or bad intentions: When do third parties reveal offenders’ intentions to victims?
Bibliography:
Hart, E., Mellers, B. A., & Bicchieri, C. (2019). Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
Awareness, risk perception, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in communities of Tamil Nadu, India.
Bibliography:
Kuang J, Ashraf S, Das U, Bicchieri C. Awareness, Risk Perception, and Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Communities of Tamil Nadu, India. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(19):7177. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197177
Applying Social Norms Theory in CATS Programming
Abstract:
The primary goal of this document is to provide the necessary information on the importance, nature and application of the theory of social norms to sanitation specialists. This document distills insights from joint collaborations with UNICEF, and aims to promote positive social change with regard to many harmful collective patterns of behavior related to sanitation.
An Embarrassment of Riches: Modeling Social Preferences in Ultimatum Games
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., & Zhang, J. (2012). In U. Maki (Ed.), Handbook of the Philosophy of Science: Philosophy of Economics. Elsevier.
A Theory of Social Programs, Legitimacy and Citizen Cooperation with the State
Bibliography:
Navarrete, A. S. A. (2019). A Theory of Social Programs, Legitimacy and Citizen Cooperation with the State.
Abstract:
Aid and social programs are commonly used to fight insurgencies and crime. However, sometimes they fail to achieve their goal of increasing citizen cooperation with the state. I propose a series of game-theoretic models that focus on the strategic interaction between a state and a citizen in the face of challenges to the state’s monopoly of power. I argue that even if the provision of aid or social programs increases citizens’ intrinsic motivation to cooperate with the state, they do not necessarily translate into more cooperation. I show that citizen cooperation depends on the whether the increase in the provision of aid is accompanied by an increase in the use of violent or hard tools by the state, the citizens’ expectation of future rewards, and the challenger’s response. The models thus provide a rationale for why even if social programs increase state legitimacy, they may fail to increase citizen cooperation.
A structured approach to a diagnostic of collective practices.
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., Lindemans, J.W., & Jiang, T. (2014). Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1418.
A social norms perspective on child marriage
Bibliography:
Bicchieri, C., Lindemans, J.W., & Jiang, T. (2014). UNICEF.
(F)utility Exposed
Bibliography:
Fumagalli, R. (2019). (F) utility Exposed. Philosophy of Science, 86(5), 955-966.