Social Science, Anti-social behaviors, and Pluralistic Ignorance

Have you every wondered why people could ignore facts and evidence, and continue to do things that is don’t make sense or even detrimental to their well being?

No, it is not because they are gullible or stupid.

Sometimes you may think that some people are “uncultured” or simply having very anti-social behaviors, like cutting queues, playing loud music on public transportation, or simply speeding dangerously on public roads.

Why do some people litter?

Why do people like driving big trucks when the live in the city?

In Social Science, there are studies and surveys done to understand these behaviors, and to better understand this, here are some definitions to start off.

Some definitions:

What are social expectations?

People who have conditional social preferences care about what others that matter to them do and/or approve of. A driver will stop on red and go on green because she has…