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Publications
  • 2015
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Understanding Conformity: An Experimental Investigation

By: B. Douglas Bernheim and Christine L Exley
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:64
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Abstract

Some theories of conformity hold that social equilibrium either standardizes inferences or promotes a shared understanding of conventions and norms among individuals with fixed heterogeneous preferences (belief mechanisms). Others depict tastes as fluid and hence subject to social influences (preference mechanisms). Belief mechanisms dominate discussions of conformity within economics, but preference mechanisms receive significant attention in other social sciences. This paper seeks to determine whether conformity is attributable to belief mechanisms or preference mechanisms by exploiting their distinctive implications for the process of convergence. Laboratory experiments suggest that economists have focused too narrowly on explanations for conformity involving belief mechanisms.

Keywords

Conformity; Norms; Image Motivation; Prosocial Behavior; Motivation and Incentives; Behavior; Standards

Citation

Bernheim, B. Douglas, and Christine L Exley. "Understanding Conformity: An Experimental Investigation." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 16-070, December 2015.
  • SSRN
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About The Author

Christine L. Exley

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • January 2022
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    Negotiating for Equal Pay: The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (A) and (B)

    By: John Beshears and Christine Exley
    • June 2021
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    The Role of Beliefs in Driving Gender Discrimination

    By: Katherine B. Coffman, Christine L. Exley and Muriel Niederle
    • 2021
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    Information Avoidance and Image Concerns

    By: Christine L. Exley and Judd B. Kessler
More from the Authors
  • Negotiating for Equal Pay: The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (A) and (B) By: John Beshears and Christine Exley
  • The Role of Beliefs in Driving Gender Discrimination By: Katherine B. Coffman, Christine L. Exley and Muriel Niederle
  • Information Avoidance and Image Concerns By: Christine L. Exley and Judd B. Kessler
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