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Between-group conflict and other-regarding preferences in nested social dilemmas

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Böhm

    (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)

  • Gary Bornstein

    (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel)

  • Hannes Koppel

    (Heidelberg University, Germany)

Abstract

We investigate experimentally the underlying motivations and individual differences with regard to the participation in between-group conflict in nested social dilemmas. In our nested social dilemmas, the collective is divided into two groups, and individuals allocate tokens between a private, a group-specific, and a collective good. We vary the marginal per capita return of the group-specific and collective good in order to manipulate the motivational within- and between group conflicts. A first experiment shows that a between-group conflict leads to within-group cooperation and particularly individuals with positive other-regarding preferences (prosocials) react to a between-group conflict by contributing to the group-specific good. Hence, paradoxically, individuals with positive other-regarding preferences may foster between-group conflicts. A second experiment reveals that prosocials' contributions to the group-specific or collective good vary as a function of the personal costs of within-group versus collective cooperation, supporting the weighted average social preference theory by Charness and Rabin (2002).

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Böhm & Gary Bornstein & Hannes Koppel, 2014. "Between-group conflict and other-regarding preferences in nested social dilemmas," Jena Economics Research Papers 2014-011, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2014-011
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    File URL: https://oweb.b67.uni-jena.de/Papers/jerp2014/wp_2014_011.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Roman M. Sheremeta, 2018. "Behavior In Group Contests: A Review Of Experimental Research," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(3), pages 683-704, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    between-group conflict; nested social dilemma; other-regarding preferences; local and global public goods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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