Groningen Lectures in Theoretical Biology - Sergey Gavrilets

Sergey Gavrilets (University of Knoxville, USA)

Collective action and the internalization of social norms

Human behavior is strongly affected by culturally transmitted norms and values. Certain norms are internalized, that is, acting according to a norm becomes an end in itself rather than merely a tool in achieving certain goals or avoiding social sanctions. Humans' capacity to internalize and follow norms likely evolved in our ancestors to simplify solving certain challenges -- including social ones. Here I theoretically study the evolutionary origins of the capacity to internalize norms. I show that norm internalization evolves under a wide range of conditions simplifying cooperation to a level when it becomes "instinctive". Norm internalization evolves much easier and has much larger effects on behavior if groups promote peer punishment of free-riders. Promoting only participation in collective actions is not effective. Evolving norm internalization always increases individual payoffs in collective actions aiming to overcome nature challenges but decreases them in conflicts with other groups. Models also predict significant genetic variation in the ability to internalize norms. Evolving the ability to internalize norms was a crucial step on the path to large-scale human cooperation.