1.2 SOCIAL DILEMMAS & COOPERATION

Question 1

define social dilemma

Answer 1

when an individual’s self-interest runs counter to the groups best interest, short-term self vs long-term collective interest

Question 2

give some examples of social dilemmas in everyday life

Answer 2

overfishing, overgrazing, flatmates all avoiding cleaning the apartment, using private transport

Question 3

name 3 specific social dilemmas

Answer 3

the prisoner’s dilemma, tragedy of the commons, freerider/social loafer

Question 4

describe the prisoners dilemma

Answer 4

2 criminals arrested on suspiscion of armed robbery, both with weapons, not enough evidence to convict unless one betrays the other

Question 5

what is the dilemma in the prisoners dilemma

Answer 5

what to do if you dont know what the other person is doing

Question 6

what are the 3 options in the prisoners dilemma

Answer 6

neither confess, each get a light sentence, best for everyone. you confess, you get off, other gets sentenced. both confess, both sentenced for short period, worst for everyone.

Question 7

what is the concept behind the tragedy of the commons

Answer 7

an individual benefits from other peoples sacrifices and suffer from their own sacrifices. Thus, there is an incentive to be selfish and let others make sacrifices. Thus, everyone suffers.

Question 8

which 4 elements in evolutionary theory can be used to understand and overcome social dilemmas

Answer 8

kin selection, reciprocal altruism. indirect reciprocity, costly signalling

Question 9

kin selection

Answer 9

people are more likely to help others who are genetically closer to them, strong family bonds tend to weaken social dilemmas

Question 10

reciprocal altruism [Trivers]

Answer 10

cooperative altruism is strongly influence by another person’s cooperative behaviour, you scratch by back and ill scratch yours, examples in animals so evolution may have created some instinctive defences against social dilemmas

Question 11

indirect reciprosity

Answer 11

people look for information on other people they may be interacting with, if person has reputation as cooperative person, you may be more likely to cooperate with them. virtuous circle of cooperation can overcome social dilemmas.

Question 12

costly signalling

Answer 12

humans sometimes engage in costly behaviours to signal desirable traits, may engage in irrational generosity, lack of self-interest to signal high status and abundance of resources to others

Question 13

name 7 factors that may influence social dilemmas

Answer 13

ostracism, uncertainty, social values, trust, reciprocity, communication, small communities.

Question 14

how does ostracism influence social dilemmas

Answer 14

punishment works when free riders are threatened by the group when they take a selfish route over a cooperative route. the threat of exclusion is very effective in increasing cooperation

Question 15

how does uncertainty influence social dilemmas

Answer 15

may be uncertain about who we are working with, what the eventual rewards and costs are. so under uncertain conditions it may be best to take immediate selfish reward.

Question 16

how do social values influence social dilemmas

Answer 16

people with high social value orientation are more likey to favour the greater good and collective outcome

Question 17

describe someone with a high social value orientation personality

Answer 17

 Like the idea of getting on well with others + cooperation
 Prefer ‘equal split is fair’ rule when interacting
 Become angry if rules are violated, even if not directly affected
 Show higher amygdala [emotion] activity in fMRI in response to unequal outcomes
 More likely to volunteer, use pubic transport etc.

Question 18

how does trust influence social dilemmas

Answer 18

effects belief in cooperative intentions of others. trusting people with cooperate. non-trusting people. with also cooperate, but only is there is a system put in place that will punish those who don’t cooperate

Question 19

how does reciprocity influence social dilemmas

Answer 19

conditional cooperation aka tit for tat is a good strategy. unconditional cooperation may lead to exploitation or conflict.

Question 20

how does communication influence social dilemmas

Answer 20

can strengthen the explicit norm of reciprocity, minimise interdependence with exploiters, group pledge to cooperate.

Question 21

how do small communities influence social dilemmas

Answer 21

cooperation more common in smaller groups, people are more confident wrong-doers will be detected and punished, high-trust.

Question 22

name 3 key people in social dilemmas and what they are known for

Answer 22

Hamilton - kin selection
reciprocal altruism - trivers
dawnes - coined ‘social dilemma’