Where do fairness preferences come from? Norm transmission in a teen friendship network

David Hugh-Jones and Jinnie Ool
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Jinnie Ool: University of East Anglia

No 2017-02, University of East Anglia School of Economics Working Paper Series from School of Economics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Abstract: People's preferences about the fair distribution of resources vary within and between different populations, and this affects many economic and political outcomes. We argue that a source of these differences is the social transmission of fairness norms from peers during adolescence. We ran an experiment on transmission of fairness norms in a friendship network of 11-15 year olds. Observing others' choices affects young people's fairness norms, as expressed in both their own choices and the attitudes they express. Our results show how young people can adopt redistributive norms via the social influence of their peer group. We also examine how the strength of social influence varies with friendship status and network position.

Date: 2017-06-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-evo and nep-soc
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Journal Article: Where do fairness preferences come from? Norm transmission in a teen friendship network (2023)
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