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AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

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Empirical expectations shaped intentions to adopt double surnames in Italy

An adult and child sit together at a white table with hands clasped or resting on the surface, with official-looking documents and blue pens visible on the table in front of them.
Research area:Social SciencesSociology and Political ScienceNames, Identity, and Discrimination Research

What the study found

Empirical expectations, meaning beliefs about what others will do, had a stronger influence than normative expectations, meaning beliefs about what others think should be done, on intentions to give children a double surname in Italy. The study also found that this effect depended on the reference network considered.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that changing empirical expectations may be important for encouraging the adoption of double surnames, which they describe as a way to promote greater gender equality in family naming practices.

What the researchers tested

The researchers used two survey experiments with Italian online quota samples. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of four hypothetical scenarios designed to manipulate their empirical and normative expectations.

What worked and what didn't

In the first experiment, empirical expectations appeared to have a stronger effect than normative expectations. The second experiment confirmed this pattern, but the size or presence of the effect depended on which reference network was considered.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not provide details about the exact scenario wording, effect sizes, or other limitations. The findings are based on survey experiments in Italy and on intentions, not observed surname choices.

Key points

  • The study examined intentions to adopt double surnames for children in Italy.
  • Empirical expectations were stronger than normative expectations in influencing intentions.
  • The second experiment found that the effect varied by the reference network considered.
  • The authors say changing empirical expectations may help encourage double-surname adoption.
  • The abstract does not describe effect sizes or other limitations in detail.

Disclosure

Research title:
Empirical expectations shaped intentions to adopt double surnames in Italy
Authors:
Renzo Carriero, Giulia Maria Dotti Sani, Riccardo Ladini, Francesco Molteni
Institutions:
Collegio Carlo Alberto, University of Turin, University of Milan
Publication date:
2026-04-07
DOI:
10.1186/s41118-026-00286-3
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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