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Restraining free-riders: The effects of actor types and decision rules in the public goods game

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  • Jan Sauermann

    (University of Cologne, Germany)

  • Ulrich Glassmann

    (University of Konstanz, Germany)

Abstract

Many experiments comparing individual and group behavior find that groups behave more egoistically than individuals. However, most of these studies do not control for the influence of within-group decision-making rules that might have an important impact on group behavior. In this article, we report findings from laboratory experiments comparing individual and group behavior in a public goods game. We find that rather than cooperation levels differing between individuals and groups per se, the intragroup decision-making rule has an influence on the cooperativeness of groups. Groups decide either by majority or unanimity rule. While groups deciding by majority rule reach roughly the same level of cooperation as individuals, groups deciding by unanimity rule contribute significantly lower amounts to the public good.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Sauermann & Ulrich Glassmann, 2014. "Restraining free-riders: The effects of actor types and decision rules in the public goods game," Rationality and Society, , vol. 26(3), pages 290-319, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:26:y:2014:i:3:p:290-319
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463114533073
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    References listed on IDEAS

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