Surveillance cues do not enhance altruistic behavior among anonymous strangers in the field.

ABSTRACT: The degree of altruistic behavior among strangers is an evolutionary puzzle. A prominent explanation is the evolutionary legacy hypothesis according to which an evolved reciprocity-based psychology affects behavior even when reciprocity is impossible, i.e., altruistic behavior in such instances is maladaptive. Empirical support for this explanation comes from laboratory experiments showing that surveillance cues, e.g., photographs of watching eyes, increase altruistic behavior. A competing interpretation for this evidence, however, is that the cues signal the experimenter's expectations and participants, aware of being monitored, intentionally behave more altruistically to boost their reputation. Here we report the first results from a field experiment on the topic in which participants ar

SUBMITTER: Koornneef EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6095487 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature