ノブレス・オブリージュ？
●Bruno S. Frey, David A. Savage and Benno Torgler, “Noblesse Oblige? Determinants of Survival in a Life and Death Situation”（CESifo Working Paper Series No. 2425, October 2008）
Abstract:
This paper explores the determinants of survival in a life-and-death situation created by an external and unpredictable shock. We are interested in seeing whether pro-social behaviour matters in such extreme situations. We therefore focus on the sinking of the RMS Titanic as a quasi-natural experiment to provide behavioural evidence that is rare in such a controlled and life threatening event. The empirical results support that social norms such as "women and children first" survive in such an environment. We also observe that women of reproductive age have a higher probability of surviving among women. On the other hand, we observe that crew members used their information advantage and their better access to resources (e.g. lifeboats) to generate a higher probability of surviving. The paper also finds that passenger class, fitness, group size, and cultural background matter.
ちょっと前に海外ブログでもちらほらと話題になってたみたいだけども、タイタニック号沈没の生存者データを利用して利他主義あるいは社会規範（＝「女性と子どもを優先しろ！！」）がどれだけ人の行動を方向付けているのかを調査した論文。生死がかかった危機的な状況においてでさえも*1人は利他的に行動する（あるいは社会規範に従って行動する）、というようにも解釈できるだろうけれども、一方で生死がかかった危機的な状況だからこそ*2人は利他的に行動する（あるいは社会規範に従って行動する）というようにも解釈できるかもしれない。というのも論文のpp.7〜8で、
We may observe in general a higher level of helping behaviour due to the situation of a common threat that may generate a “we-feelings”and as a consequence a concern for the welfare of others (Worman 1979). In other words closeness is strongly correlated with helping behaviour (Amato 1990) and being involved together in external shock may induce closeness.
と書かれているように*3、またhelping behaviourを支える社会規範の背後には「利己的な遺伝子」が暗躍（？）しているとするならば、まさに生死がかかった危機的な状況だからこそ"women and children first"という社会規範が強く働く、ということになるのかもしれない。
