A pluralistic framework for the psychology of norms

Social norms are commonly understood as rules that dictate which behaviors appropriate, permissible, or obligatory in different situations for members of a given community. Many researchers have sought to explain the ubiquity social human life terms psychological mechanisms underlying their acquisition, conformity, and enforcement. Existing theories psychology appeal variety constructs, from prediction-error minimization, reinforcement learning, shared intentionality, domain-specific adaptations norm acquisition. In this paper, we propose novel methodological conceptual framework cognitive science call normative pluralism. We begin with an analysis (sometimes mixed) explanatory aims norms. From analysis, derive recommendation reformed conception its explanandum: minimally construct regularities. Our central empirical proposal is underpinnings most likely realized by heterogeneous set cognitive, motivational, ecological vary between individuals, rather than single type process distinctive system. This pluralistic approach, suggest, offers methodologically sound point departure fruitful rigorous