Disentangling material, social, and cognitive determinants of human behavior and beliefs

Abstract In social interactions, human decision-making, attitudes, and beliefs about others coevolve. Their dynamics are affected by cost-benefit considerations, cognitive processes (such as dissonance, projecting, logic constraints), influences peers (via descriptive injunctive norms) authorities (e.g., educational, cultural, religious, political, administrative, individual or group, real fictitious). Here we attempt to disentangle some of this complexity using an integrative mathematical modeling a 35-day online behavioral experiment. We utilize data from Common Pool Resources experiment with without messaging promoting group-beneficial level resource extraction. directly estimate the weights different factors in decision-making dynamics. show that personal norms conformity expected peers’ actions have largest impact on while material benefits normative expectations smaller effects. Individuals behaving prosocially characterized higher antisocial types more conformity. Messaging greatly decreases weight simultaneously increases It also markedly expectations. Both important beliefs. Between-individual variation is present all measured characteristics notably impacts observed group behavior. At same time, gender differences small. argue one can hardly understand behavior understanding cognitive, social, play roles these processes. Our results implications for predicting triggered certain shocks unrest, pandemic, natural disaster) designing policy interventions aiming change aimed at environment protection climate mitigation).