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The Decision to Pollute

Author

Listed:
  • R M Dawes
  • J Delay
  • W Chaplin

    (Crow Research Organization, Box 708, Veneta, Oregon 97487, USA)

Abstract

One way of studying the pollution problem is to examine the decision making process in situations in which gain accrues directly to an individual, while loss is spread out across the group of which the individual is a member. Such a situation has been termed a commons dilemma by Lloyd in 1833; it is a variant of the well known prisoner's dilemma. The mathematical model of rational decision making when facing the commons dilemma implies the dismal conclusion that individuals acting rationally will end up by destroying, or nearly destroying, the common wealth. Suggestions are made concerning ways in which people may be persuaded not to pollute our environment.

Suggested Citation

  • R M Dawes & J Delay & W Chaplin, 1974. "The Decision to Pollute," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 6(1), pages 3-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:6:y:1974:i:1:p:3-10
    DOI: 10.1068/a060003
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    Cited by:

    1. Vijay Joshi & Mary Sissons Joshi & Psychology Department & Oxford Brookes University Roger Lamb & Psychology Department & Oxford Brookes University, 2001. "The Prisoner`s Dilemma and City-Centre Traffic," Economics Series Working Papers 85, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.

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