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Decency

Ellingsen, Tore and Mohlin, Erik LU (2019) In Working Papers
Abstract
We develop a formal theory of decency. Shared values and understandings give rise to social norms. Norms may mandate collectively optimal behavior, but they need not do so. Furthermore, behavior can be affected by social values even if it stops short of norm compliance. Seeking stronger predictions, we propose a structural model of social values; society endorses efficiency and equality, but condemns ill-gotten gains. The model implies that decent people will tend to avoid situations that encourage prosocial behavior. It also rationalizes the existence of willful ignorance, intention-based negative reciprocity, and betrayal aversion.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Working paper/Preprint
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Culture, Norms, Situations, Social Context, Social Preferences, D91, Z13
in
Working Papers
issue
2019:3
pages
40 pages
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0845f0a2-e85a-4b13-ac33-8b45f5ddf61a
alternative location
https://swopec.hhs.se/lunewp/abs/lunewp2019_003.htm
date added to LUP
2019-03-07 13:01:09
date last changed
2019-03-07 13:01:09
@misc{0845f0a2-e85a-4b13-ac33-8b45f5ddf61a,
  abstract     = {{We develop a formal theory of decency. Shared values and understandings give rise to social norms. Norms may mandate collectively optimal behavior, but they need not do so. Furthermore, behavior can be affected by social values even if it stops short of norm compliance. Seeking stronger predictions, we propose a structural model of social values; society endorses efficiency and equality, but condemns ill-gotten gains. The model implies that decent people will tend to avoid situations that encourage prosocial behavior. It also rationalizes the existence of willful ignorance, intention-based negative reciprocity, and betrayal aversion.}},
  author       = {{Ellingsen, Tore and Mohlin, Erik}},
  keywords     = {{Culture; Norms; Situations; Social Context; Social Preferences; D91; Z13}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Working Paper}},
  number       = {{2019:3}},
  series       = {{Working Papers}},
  title        = {{Decency}},
  url          = {{https://swopec.hhs.se/lunewp/abs/lunewp2019_003.htm}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}