Taboos and Identity: Considering the Unthinkable
研究了禁忌作为身份定义的一部分，分析个体对打破禁忌的权衡如何影响选择集，以及社会异质性与禁忌强度的关系，并探讨多身份社会的形成条件。
A taboo is an “unthinkable” action. Even the thought of violating a taboo triggers a punishment. We consider a model in which taboos are part of the definition of one's identity. Deliberating over breaking the taboo changes the individual's choice set, and provides information on possible private benefits. The strength of the taboo is determined by the number of individuals that obey it. We analyze the relationship between social heterogeneity and taboos' strength. We then examine societies in which individuals choose among several identities characterized by different taboos. We characterize the conditions that give rise to a multi-identity society.