Measuring Norm Multiplicity

This study introduces the Norm-Drawing Task, a novel approach to measure pluralism, or the coexistence of multiple normative beliefs in a given context. By combining established methods, we identify heterogeneous normative beliefs in well-known economic games, challenging the typical assumption of a single prevailing norm. Moreover, we are able to link norm multiplicity to actual behavior. We observe that participants who perceive multiple norms are more tolerant and punish norm violations less frequently and less severely than those who perceive a singular norm. In a second experiment, we show that this effect is causal. Comparing two elicitation protocols that allow participants to report multiple norms versus requiring them to report a single norm, we find that punishment is lower in the former than in the latter: pluralism breeds tolerance. The implications of our study are broad, indicating that societal structures and policy decisions could be influenced by the underlying multiplicity of norms. Moreover, the Norm-Drawing Task, for which we provide a ready-made software implementation, offers a new avenue for exploring important societal issues like the perception of minority groups and the dynamics of polarization.