Perceptions of the appropriate response to norm violation in 57 societies

Abstract Norm enforcement may be important for resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation. However, little is known about how preferred responses to norm violations vary across cultures domains. In a preregistered study of 57 countries (using convenience samples 22,863 students non-students), we measured perceptions the appropriateness various violation cooperative atypical social behaviors. Our findings highlight both cultural universals variation. We find universal negative relation between ratings in form confrontation, ostracism gossip. Moreover, country variation sanctions consistent different but not sanctions. Specifically, those where use physical confrontation rated as less appropriate, gossip more appropriate.