The impact of group norms and behavioral congruence on the internalization of an illegal downloading behavior.

Abstract

This experimental study (n = 115) investigates how group norms and individuals' congruence with these norms predicted internalization (i.e., self-determination) of an illegal behavior. We manipulated ingroup norms in favor of versus against illegal downloading of software, and assessed participants' behavioral intentions, their moti vations for emitting this specific behavior, and how they subjectively experienced the experimental situation (compartmentalizing their illegal behavior; feeling conflicted). Participants were more likely to endorse the behavior that was normative in their ingroup. Also, participants were more self-determined to engage in the behavior when they intended to behave congruently with a norm against illegal downloading, and when they intended to behave incongruently with a norm in favor of illegal download ing. Participants who did not intend to engage in illegal downloading felt less com partmentalized and conflicted than participants who intended to engage in illegal downloading. Results are discussed in light of self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986).

Bringing together humanistic and intergroup perspectives to build a model of internalisation of normative social harmdoing

“…Interestingly, in these experiments, participants who went against a norm in favour of discrimination (and who displayed parity instead) also reported high self‐determination, suggesting that these participants were possibly relying on alternative group memberships or more deeply internalised forms of motivations to resist social influence (Packer, ). The key finding that group members showed heightened self‐determination for prosocial normative behaviours was replicated in another experiment examining norms in favour versus against the illegal downloading of computer software, as another type of socially harmful behaviour (Sansfaçon & Amiot, ).…”

Public policy and social norms: The case of a nationwide smoking ban among college students.

“…The more individuals identify with a group or referent others, the more relevant its norms become in guiding their actions and thoughts. In-group norms are considered powerful types of social norms because, as the individual himself wishes to be similar to the group, in-group norms can be internalized and become part of the self and be endorsed for self-determined motivations (see Sansfaçon & Amiot, 2014). Therefore, their influence is expected to be relatively less dependent on the presence of referent others, or environmental triggers, than the remaining types of norms.…”