Social norms, cooperation, and punishment: Insights from behavioral sciences

Abstract

Social norms pervade almost every feature of social life, serve to foster social order, and to stabilize cooperation. Different theories have been suggested to explain why people comply with social norms and why they cooperate with others when there are many incentives to behave selfishly. A compelling theory proposes that norm-compliance and widespread cooperation are maintained and reinforced through the human propensity to punish norm transgressors. This chapter resumes and discusses evidence from behavioral sciences and neuroscience that explains the human propensity to comply with social norms, to deviate from them, and the role of punishment to regulate human social behavior. These insights could contribute to a deeper and more integrated understanding of these processes which are pivotal foundations of the modern systems of justice.