Emotions like anger drive and independently cost norm enforcement

Evidence

Influential social scientists (Elster, 1989; Frank, 1988; Hirshleifer, 1987) have argued that the sanctions that enforce social norms are based on strong emotions, and that emotions are the drivers of norm enforcement decisions. Moreover, Elster (1989) argued that being the object of negative emotions such as anger causes a large disutility on its own, independent of any material losses. — Ernst Fehr, Third-Party Punishment and Social Norms, 135

Categorization

• XREF: Emotion as an independent utility cost resonates with Dimmesdale’s hidden guilt — unobserved transgression carries psychological rather than material disutility, and anger at the branded Hester enforces norms regardless of material loss. — connects to: Self-reported emotions correlate with but cannot prove punitive sanctioning — Ernst Fehr, Third-Party Punishment and Social Norms, 146; Costly norm enforcement by unaffected bystanders reveals strong reciprocity. — Ernst Fehr, Third-Party Punishment and Social Norms, 2; Costly sentiments like guilt persist because they confer evolutionary gain (+4 more)
• DEFINE: Defines the emotional foundation of the image-scoring model: negative emotions are the proximate mechanism by which indirect reciprocity punishes defection.

Related

• Self-reported emotions correlate with but cannot prove punitive sanctioning (similarity 0.85)
• People punish norm violations at personal cost even without direct harm (similarity 0.85)
• Costly norm enforcement by unaffected bystanders reveals strong reciprocity. (similarity 0.80)
• Social norm enforcement may be a defining trait of humanity. (similarity 0.80)

Broader Connections

• Self-reported emotions correlate with but cannot prove punitive sanctioning #qualifies (0.82) — Ernst Fehr, Third-Party Punishment and Social Norms, 146
• Costly sentiments like guilt persist because they confer evolutionary gain #expands (0.80)
• People punish norm violations at personal cost even without direct harm #corroborates (0.80) — Ernst Fehr, Third-Party Punishment and Social Norms, 147
• Costly norm enforcement by unaffected bystanders reveals strong reciprocity. #corroborates (0.78) — Ernst Fehr, Third-Party Punishment and Social Norms, 2
• Genetically evolved sentiments can motivate action against self-interest #corroborates (0.75)