Cooperator, Defector or Shunner?

Interesting study, out of UCLA, which looked into the evolutionary roots of altruism and moral outrage.  Two traits that only humans exhibit.  Utilizing Game Theory, the study researchers utilized the following players.

*“Cooperators," or people who always contribute to the public good and who always assist individual community members in the group with the favors that are asked of them.
*“Defectors," who never contribute to the public good nor assist other community members who ask for help.
*“Shunners," or hard-nosed types who contribute to the public good, but only lend aid to those individuals with a reputation for contributing to the public good and helping other good community members who ask for help. For members in bad standing, shunners withhold individual assistance."

A telling finding from the study.

"But without individuals willing to mete out punishment, we have a hard time explaining how societies develop and sustain cooperative behavior. Our model shows that as long as it is socially permissible, withholding help from a deadbeat actually proves to be in an individual’s self-interest."

So, what are you?  Me, I’m in the Shunner camp.

“UCLA study points to evolutionary roots of altruism, moral outrage"

Link via Gary Cruse.

Posted by on 11/26 at 04:34 AM

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