Have you ever wondered why people follow rules, even when no one is watching? A new study led by Simon Gächter and colleagues explores this question in depth, revealing surprising insights about human behavior and the motivations behind rule-following.
The Puzzle of Rule-Following
Rules are everywhere in our lives. They tell us what to do and what not to do—whether it’s stopping at a red light, following dress codes, or respecting social norms. These rules help keep society organized and cooperative. But why do people actually obey them, especially when breaking the rules might be easier or more rewarding?
Introducing the CRISP Framework
To answer this, the researchers developed a new way to think about rule-following called the CRISP framework. CRISP stands for:
– Conformity (following rules)
– Respect for rules (intrinsic motivation)
– Incentives (extrinsic rewards or punishments)
– Social expectations (what we think others expect)
– Preferences (wanting to help or not harm others)
CRISP suggests that people weigh all these factors when deciding whether to follow a rule. Sometimes, people obey rules because they believe it’s the right thing to do (intrinsic respect). Other times, they follow rules to avoid punishment or gain rewards (incentives), to fit in with what others expect (social expectations), or because they care about others (social preferences).
Testing the Theory: The Traffic Light Experiment
To test their ideas, the researchers ran online experiments with over 14,000 English-speaking participants. In one experiment, participants played a simple game: they could earn more money by breaking a rule (moving before a traffic light turned green), and no one would know if they cheated. Surprisingly, even when breaking the rule was profitable and completely anonymous, about 55–70% of people still followed the rule.
Why Do People Obey When No One Is Watching?
The study found that most people expect others to follow rules and see rule-following as socially appropriate. Even when there are no rewards for obeying or risks for breaking the rule, many people still conform. This shows that a basic respect for rules and the belief that others expect us to follow them are powerful motivators.
What Happens When Others Break the Rules?
The experiments also showed that rule-breaking can be contagious—if people see others breaking rules, they’re more likely to do so themselves. However, even in these situations, most people still chose to obey. Adding rewards for following rules or making rule-breaking hurt others increased rule-following, but the biggest reasons people obeyed were still respect for rules and social expectations.
Key Takeaways
– People follow rules not just because of fear of punishment or hope for reward.
– Intrinsic respect for rules and the belief that others expect us to obey are the main reasons for rule-following.
– Rule-breaking by others can influence us, but most people still choose to do the right thing.
– Social preferences (caring about others) and incentives can boost rule-following, but they are not the main drivers.
This research shows that humans have a deep-rooted tendency to follow rules, even when it costs them something and no one is watching. Respect for rules and social expectations are at the heart of why societies function smoothly. Understanding these motivations can help us design better policies and encourage cooperation in our communities.
