Economics and Sociological Foundations of Prosocial Behavior: A Theoretical Survey

ABSTRACT: Economic incentives and social norms known as social preferences are likely to have important effects on shaping of prosocial behaviors of individuals. In this paper, we attempt to bring together social norms and economic incentives on an equal footing in a model of individual choice concerning prosocial behavior. We present a comprehensive overview of economics and sociological theories that address themotives of individual’s prosocial behavior.
KEYWORDS: Incentives, Social Norms, Prosocial Behavior, Economic Sociology JEL Classification: A13, D64, D91, Z13