Strong, Bold, and Kind: Self-Control and Cooperation in Social Dilemmas

Kocher, Martin G.; Martinsson, Peter; Myrseth, Kristian Ove R. und Wollbrant, Conny (April 2013): Strong, Bold, and Kind: Self-Control and Cooperation in Social Dilemmas. CESifo Working Paper, 4200

Abstract

We develop a model that relates self-control and conflict identification to cooperation patterns in social dilemmas. As predicted, we find in a laboratory public goods experiment a robust association between stronger self-control and higher levels of cooperation. This means that there is evidence for an impulse to be selfish and that cooperative behavior requires self-control effort. Free-riders differ from other contributor types only in their tendency not to have identified a self-control conflict in the first place.

• Dokumententyp: Paper
• Fakultät: Volkswirtschaft ; Volkswirtschaft > Lehrstühle > Seminar für Experimentelle Wirtschaftsforschung
• Themengebiete: 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 330 Wirtschaft
• JEL Classification: C91, D03, H40
• Sprache: Englisch