Reward size, method of presentation, and number of alternatives in a Prisoner's Dilemma game

80 male and 80 female undergraduates played either a standard matrix-form Prisoner's Dilemma game or 2-, 6-, or 11-choice nonmatrix equivalents of that game. 80 Ss played for points, and 80 played for money. Results indicated that Ss playing for money were more cooperative than Ss playing for p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 1969-11, Vol.13 (3), p.239-244
Main Authors: Gallo, Philip S, Funk, Sandra G, Levine, Joseph R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Choice Behavior
College Students
Cooperation
Games
Human
Rewards
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Summary:80 male and 80 female undergraduates played either a standard matrix-form Prisoner's Dilemma game or 2-, 6-, or 11-choice nonmatrix equivalents of that game. 80 Ss played for points, and 80 played for money. Results indicated that Ss playing for money were more cooperative than Ss playing for points. There was no overall effect of sex or games. A significant interaction between games and reward indicated that Ss who played the 6-choice game were cooperative when money was at stake and uncooperative when playing for points, whereas Ss in the 2- and 11-choice game were relatively unaffected by the presence or absence of money. It was concluded that the number of alternative responses available in a conflict situation may affect the nature of the resolution of that convlict. (20 ref.)
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/h0028283