Social Distance: Isolating Relevant Variables Using a Prisoners Dilemma Game
Authors
Buddiga, Natalie Rose
Issue Date
2023
Type
Dissertation
Language
Keywords
Altruism , Cooperation , Prisoner's Dilemma Game , Social discounting , Social distance
Alternative Title
Abstract
Social discounting describes the devaluation of an outcome as the recipient increases in social distance. The social discounting paradigm allows for a behavioral analysis of altruism and cooperation; however, the social distance variable has remained unexamined. Two studies were conducted to examine how social distance and cooperation change as a function of probability of reciprocation (Experiment 1) and delay to reciprocate (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, three probabilities were assessed (25% for a strategy favoring defection, 75% for a strategy favoring neither defection nor cooperation, and 100% for a strategy favoring cooperation). Results across forty-eight participants indicated that while 100% probability of reciprocation resulted in the highest cooperation and closest social distance, social distance did not change precisely with probability of reciprocation. In Experiment 2, probability of reciprocation was held constant (100%) and delay to reciprocate was manipulated (3 s, 8 s, and 13 s). Results across forty participants showed that order of delays affected cooperation. Across all groups, the 3 s CP was ranked closest in social distance. Overall results suggest that delay to reciprocate influences social distance rankings. Both studies contribute to the social discounting literature by providing an empirical investigation of social distance and its influences.