The Dynamics of Norms

by Cristina Bicchieri, Brian Skyrms (Editor), Richard C. Jeffrey (Editor)

In the social sciences norms are sometimes taken to play a key explanatory role. Yet norms differ from group to group, from society to society, and from species to species. How are norms formed and how do they change? This 'state-of-the-art' collection of essays presents some of the best contemporary research into the dynamic processes underlying the formation, maintenance, metamorphosis and dissolution of norms. The volume combines formal modelling with more traditional analysis, and considers biological and cultural evolution, individual learning, and rational deliberation. In filling a significant gap in the current literature this volume will be of particular interest to economists, political scientists and sociologists, in addition to philosophers of the social sciences.

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Cristina Bicchieri is the SJP Harvie Professor of Social Thought and Comparative Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, and director of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics program.

She is a foremost scholar of rational choice and philosophy of social science, and a leader in behavioral ethics.