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“Proof Under Reasonable Doubt”: Ambiguity of the Norm Violation as Boundary Condition of Third-Party Punishment

Toribio-Flórez, Daniel, Saße, Julia, Baumert, Anna (2022) “Proof Under Reasonable Doubt”: Ambiguity of the Norm Violation as Boundary Condition of Third-Party Punishment. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, . Article Number 0146167221. ISSN 0146-1672. E-ISSN 1552-7433. (doi:10.1177/01461672211067675) (KAR id:92991)

Abstract

In six studies, we consistently observed costly third-party punishment (3PP) to decrease under ambiguity of the norm violation. Our research suggests that, under ambiguity, some people experience concerns about punishing unfairly. Those with higher (vs. lower) other-oriented justice sensitivity (Observer JS) reduced 3PP more pronouncedly (in Studies 1–3 and 4b, but not replicated in Studies 4–5). Moreover, those who decided to resolve the ambiguity (hence, removing the risk of punishing unfairly) exceeded the 3PP observed under no ambiguity (Study 4). However, we did not consistently observe these concerns about punishing unfairly to affect 3PP (Studies 4–5). We further considered whether people could use ambiguity as justification for remaining passive—thus, avoiding the costs of 3PP. We did not find conclusive evidence supporting this notion. Taken together, ambiguity entails a situational boundary of 3PP that sheds light on the prevalence of this behavior and, potentially, on its preceding decision-making.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/01461672211067675
Uncontrolled keywords: ambiguity, third party, costly punishment, norm violation, justice sensitivity
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Daniel Toribio Florez
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2022 10:14 UTC
Last Modified: 02 Feb 2022 15:30 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/92991 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Toribio-Flórez, Daniel.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9706-709X
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