University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The group-based binding pledge as a solution to public goods problems

Chen, Xiao-ping

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/19770

Description

Title
The group-based binding pledge as a solution to public goods problems
Author(s)
Chen, Xiao-ping
Issue Date
1995
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Davis, James H.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Psychology, Social
  • Sociology, Public and Social Welfare
Language
eng
Abstract
A social dilemma is a situation in which members of a group are faced with a conflict between two choices: maximizing personal interests (defection) or maximizing collective interests (cooperation). It is generally more profitable to defect, but if all do so, all are worse off than if all choose to cooperate. A public goods dilemma is a special case of a social dilemma in which people must contribute resources to provide a public good. Communication, especially face-to-face discussion, has been shown to be effective in facilitating cooperation in such situations, including asking members to make a pledge to contribute (cooperate). The purpose of this study was to evaluate some explanations for the effectiveness of a pledge in enhancing cooperation. 256 undergraduate students (in groups of four subjects) were asked to make choices in a public goods dilemma. The results suggest that a pledge is effective in enhancing cooperation because it induces group identity and the perception of criticality. It is suggested that when face-to-face discussion is not feasible, a pledge system may be effective in solving real life social dilemmas.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/19770
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1995 Chen, Xiao-ping

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