Working Paper: NBER ID: w24798
Authors: Roland Bénabou; Armin Falk; Jean Tirole
Abstract: By downplaying externalities, magnifying the cost of moral behavior, or suggesting not being pivotal, exculpatory narratives can allow individuals to maintain a positive image when in fact acting in a morally questionable way. Conversely, responsibilizing narratives can help sustain better social norms. We investigate when narratives emerge from a principal or the actor himself, how they are interpreted and transmitted by others, and when they spread virally. We then turn to how narratives compete with imperatives (general moral rules or precepts) as alternative modes of communication to persuade agents to behave in desirable ways.
Keywords: moral reasoning; narratives; social norms; behavioral economics
JEL Codes: D62; D64; D78; D83; D91; H41; K42; L14; Z13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| exculpatory narratives (Y60) | increased self-interested behavior (D91) |
| negative narratives (Z13) | increased self-interested behavior (D91) |
| responsibilizing narratives (M14) | encouragement of moral behavior (A13) |
| social influence (C92) | spread of narratives (Z13) |
| narratives (Y40) | moral behavior (A13) |
| reputation (M14) | selfish actions (D64) |