A Stepping Stone Approach to Norm Transitions
研究了中间行为如何作为垫脚石帮助消除有害规范，但可能自身成为新规范，并用索马里女性割礼数据验证了模型。
We propose a model to study when an intermediate action can serve as a stepping stone that enables the elimination of a harmful norm. While the intermediate action may facilitate the first “step,” it may also become a new norm. We derive intuitive conditions for stepping stones, which depend on the relative size of social penalties and intrinsic utility benefits. We propose an econometric approach to testing whether an intermediate action is a stepping stone, and apply it to original data on female genital cutting in Somalia. The analysis shows that the intermediate action may become the new norm.