| The aim of this project is to elaborate and test experimentally a framing theory of solidary behavior in relationships. According to framing theory (Lindenberg, 2001) there are three high-level overriding goals that presumably influence cognitive processes more than other goals: hedonic goal ('to improve the way one feels'), gain goal ('to improve one's resources'), and the normative goal ('to act appropriately'). 'Solidarity' as the term is used here, refers to five different kinds of pro-social behavior (cooperation, fairness, altruism, trustworthiness, and considerateness) and, according to the theory, it is best served by a strong normative frame. Solidary behavior could be predicted and explained if we knew under what circumstances the normative frame becomes, and remains, dominant. This question is particularly interesting because the normative frame is predicted to be apriori weaker than the frames that belong to the other two overriding goals. Of special sociological significance is the fact that if the answer to this question is known, it would be possible to develop interventions to stabilize and strengthen the normative frame or to establish a frame change towards the normative frame. |
