Genetic Variability, Economic Behavior and the Formation of Social Norms: The Case of European Alcohol Consumption

Eric Noevdal and Jason Shogren
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Eric Noevdal: Princeton University and Agricultural University of Norway

No 139, Working Papers from Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Discussion Papers in Economics

Abstract: Alcohol consumption patterns vary across Europe. Northern Europeans frequently engage in excessive drinking in social situations (EDSS), behavior less common in southern Europe. We develop a model to explore whether these behavioral differences could be rooted in genetic variations across Europe and then compounded by social reinforcement mechanisms. Our results suggest conditions exist in which EDSS can emerge as a strategy in a larger fraction of the population than is genetically predisposed to EDSS. Implications for the current effort to harmonize alcohol policy across the European Union are explored.

Keywords: genetics, substance abuse, social norms, adaptive preferences; European Union (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-06
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pri:wwseco:dp228.pdf

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