Somebody do something: coexisting with social transgression on the metro

Abstract

ABSTRACT Several factors decrease metro riders’ satisfaction, well-being, and willingness to use the metro. However, little attention has focused on the problems caused by social transgression and uncivilized behavior. Hence, the objectives of this study were to analyze the impact of norm transgression and uncivil behavior on coexistence among passengers and the emotional climate on the metro and to assess the social control exerted by passengers. We also explored whether the perception of social control changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was composed of 357 passengers of the Buenos Aires metro. An online self-administered questionnaire was designed to collect the data. Path analysis results showed that beliefs about norms and the ease with which passengers break the norm of silence promote active social control. In contrast, the difficulty of breaking the norm of silence and the perception of public alienation lead to inactive social control.