Social norms and their dynamics

Social norms play a pivotal role in shaping human behavior by defining expected conduct within society. They contribute to societal welfare when they promote virtuous behaviors or condemn harmful ones. Conversely, they can be detrimental when they encourage maladaptive behaviors or constitute a barrier to addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, rising inequalities, and health crises. A comprehensive
understanding of how social norms are formed and how they can evolve is crucial for disrupting undesirable collective behaviors and fostering more virtuous societies.