Low-cost, high-impact altruistic punishment promotes cooperation cascades in human social networks.

ABSTRACT: Theoretical models and experiments suggest that social networks may significantly impact the emergence and stability of cooperation in humans. Similarly, theoretical models and experiments have shown that punishing behavior can significantly increase cooperative behavior in individuals. However, how punishing impacts the effects of social networks on cooperation is not yet understood. Here, I examine a set of laboratory experiments in which participants choose to cooperate or defect under differing punishment arrangements. Through analysis of the experiment as a network, I evaluate how institutional arrangements affect the degree to which social networks promote cooperative behavior. The results show that cooperative behavior spreads from person-to-person in all versions of the game, but t

SUBMITTER: Bond RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6376046 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature