Human behavior is heavily influenced by social norms. But when and how do norms persist or change? Complementing work on the role of top-down factors in the enforcement of normative behavior (e.g., sanctioning systems, organizational culture, formal leadership, corrective actions), I introduce a model of bottom-up influences on norm development. I argue that the trajectories of social norms are shaped by behavioral responses of observers to emergent norm violations. Research on such responses can be categorized in three broad clusters that have distinct implications for norm development. Oppositional responses to norm violations (punishment, confrontation, gossip, whistleblowing, derogation, social exclusion, emotional condemnation) discourage future transgressions, thereby contributing to norm maintenance. Acquiescent responses (avoidance, tolerance) leave room for future violations, thereby contributing to norm erosion. Supportive responses (emulation, endorsement) encourage future deviance and facilitate the spreading of counternormative behavior, thereby catalyzing norm change. By linking micro-level norm violations to macro-level normative systems, this approach illuminates how norms are dynamically negotiated through social interaction.

中文翻译：

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自下而上对社会规范的影响：观察者对违规行为的反应如何推动规范维持与变革


人类行为很大程度上受到社会规范的影响。但规范何时以及如何持续或改变？为了补充自上而下因素在规范行为执行中的作用（例如制裁制度、组织文化、正式领导、纠正措施），我引入了一个自下而上影响规范发展的模型。我认为社会规范的轨迹是由观察者对新兴规范违反行为的行为反应决定的。对此类应对措施的研究可分为三大类，它们对规范的制定具有独特的影响。对违反规范行为的反对性反应（惩罚、对抗、流言蜚语、举报、贬损、社会排斥、情感谴责）会阻止未来的违规行为，从而有助于规范的维护。默许反应（回避、容忍）为未来的违规行为留下了空间，从而导致了规范的侵蚀。支持性反应（模仿、认可）会鼓励未来的偏差并促进反规范行为的传播，从而促进规范的改变。通过将微观层面的规范违反与宏观层面的规范体系联系起来，这种方法阐明了规范如何通过社会互动动态协商。