Norms or Rationality? The Rescue of Jews, Electoral Participation, and Educational Decisions

Clemens Kroneberg (), Volker Stocké () and Meir Yaish ()
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Clemens Kroneberg: Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Postal: L 13, 15, D-68131 Mannheim
Volker Stocké: Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Postal: L 13, 15, D-68131 Mannheim
Meir Yaish: Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Postal: L 13, 15, D-68131 Mannheim

No 06-09, Sonderforschungsbereich 504 Publications from Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Universität Mannheim, Sonderforschungsbereich 504, University of Mannheim

Abstract: In sociology it has been much debated whether the normativist-culturalist or the rational choice perspective better explains social phenomena. Since each has received considerable empirical support, an integrated account of norms and rationality is much needed. The Model of Frame Selection offers such an integration. In this model, cost-benefit calculus is replaced by unconditional norm conformity if norms are strongly internalized. We test this proposition in three fields of application: the rescue of Jews in WWII, electoral participation, and the decision among secondary school tracks. In line with the predictions of the Model of Frame Selection we find that strong helping norms, intense norms of civic duty, and high educational aspirations lead actors to disregard the risk of helping Jews, the incentive to express political preferences, and the prospects to complete school tracks.

Pages: 46 pages
Date: 2006-08-26
Note: For helpful comments on earlier drafts, we would like to thank Richard Breen, Paul DiMaggio, Hartmut Esser, and Rafael Wittek. Financial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SFB 504, at the University of Mannheim, is gratefully acknowledged. The work was completed while the first author was staying at the Office of Population Research at Princeton University under a scholarship of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
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