On Peer Effects: Contagion of Pro- and Anti-Social Behavior and the Role of Social Cohesion

Eugen Dimant

No 2017-06, Discussion Papers from The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham

Abstract: Little is known about the underlying mechanisms of behavioral contagion, in particular with respect to differences in contagion of pro- versus anti-social behavior. Our principal contribution is the use of a novel experimental approach that enables us to analyze the contagion of behavior under varied levels of social distance to peers and differences in contagion of pro- and anti-social behavior. Anti-social behavior is found to be more contagious and social distance particularly drives the contagion of anti-social but not prosocial behavior. The results yield policy implications with regards to designing effective nudges and interventions to facilitate (reduce) pro- (anti-)social behavior, in both social and work environments.

Keywords: Anti-Social Behavior; Behavioral Contagion; Charitable Giving; Peer Effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-ure
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Related works:
Working Paper: Contagion of Pro- and Anti-Social Behavior Among Peers and the Role of Social Proximity (2018)
Working Paper: On Peer Effects: Contagion of Pro- and Anti-Social Behavior in Charitable Giving and The Role of Social Identity (2016)
Working Paper: On Peer Effects: Behavioral Contagion of (Un)Ethical Behavior and the Role of Social Identity (2015)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:not:notcdx:2017-06

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