Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen,

im Namen von Andreas Diekmann darf ich Sie auf den nachfolgenden Call for Abstracts hinweisen.

Herzliche Grüße Heinz Leitgöb

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Social Norms: Emergence, Stability, Social Change

Conference at Centro Stefano Franscini, Monte Verita, Ascona, Switzerland, July 7 to 10, 2024

Organized by Andreas Diekmann, University of Leipzig & ETH Zurich and Jörg Rössel, Univiversiy of Zurich

Social norms are fundamental for the social cohesion of societies. They constrain human actions, but they are also of essential importance in enabling us to act at all, coordinate actions and solve cooperation problems. Theoretical and empirical studies of social norms are conducted across disciplines in sociology, psychology, behavioral economics, political science, philosophy, and other social and human sciences. While much of existing research is concerned with compliance with social norms, in the planned conference we will also focus particular attention on analyses of the emergence and change of social norms. While the main thrust of the conference is on the explanation of norm emergence and norm change, systematic studies of international/cultural differences in norms or historical change of norms are also welcome. In addition, we will focus on applications of the findings from research on how social norms change and operate. Today, there are numerous new findings in this field, which are particularly relevant in the context of the climate problem and energy transition but also for other currently debated issues like changing gender norms and the use of artificial intelligence, to name just a few. Since norms also constrain human action, they might be perceived as harmful by those who are subject to the norms or by external observers. One example is the practice of "female genital mutilation" (FMG). The conference will bring together early career and senior researchers from various countries and disciplines to share new research findings. Presentations may focus on both basic research, such as the development of new theoretical perspectives and the testing of theories, and policy-relevant applications of norms research. Key topics are:

(1) New perspectives, hypotheses, and empirical findings concerning the emergence of social norms. (2) Addressing the question on how to measure social norms. Contributions from different methodological perspectives are welcome. (3) Studies on international/cultural differences in norms of historical change of social norms. (4) The state of knowledge on conditions that contribute to the change of social norms or to cultural differences in social norms. (5) The contribution of social norms to ensure social cooperation. (6) Stability of social norms. The role of rewards and sanctions. (7) The emergence, change, and decay of signaling norms. (8) Inducing change when norms are “sticky” and detrimental. (9) Applications of norm research in the area of e.g. energy transition, development policies, health behavior, law making, gender relations, artificial intelligence and other fields. (10) Other norm-related topics.

Keynote lectures by:

Cristina Bicchieri, Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Karl-Dieter Opp, Sociology, University of Leipzig, Germany; Linda Steg, Psychology, University of Groningen, NL; Sonja Vogt, Economics, University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Registration fee (including excursion to Isola Bella) 150 CHF

Board and lodging (3 nights Monte Verita, breakfast/lunch/dinner) 645 CHF Conference website: https://www.sozphil.uni-leipzig.de/institut-fuer-soziologie/social-norms-wor...

Submission of abstracts until February 15th, 2024 to: social.norms@uni-leipzig.de

Supported by CSF, DFG grant to AD, Universities of Leipzig and Zurich, Academy of Sociology