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Are teams conditionally cooperative? Experimental evidence from a public goods game

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  • Xu, Chenyang
  • Li, Tongzhe

Abstract

We study whether teams are conditional cooperators in a one-shot public goods game and to what extent this conditionality differs from that when decisions are made by individuals. Using a laboratory experiment, we find individuals in teams under a majority rule do not exhibit significantly different levels of conditionally cooperative behavior than individuals in isolation. Whereas individuals in teams under a random ballot rule are less conditionally cooperative than individuals in isolation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Chenyang & Li, Tongzhe, 2024. "Are teams conditionally cooperative? Experimental evidence from a public goods game," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:239:y:2024:i:c:s0165176524002477
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2024.111763
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Teams; Public goods game; Laboratory experiment; Conditional cooperation; Peer influence; Majority rule; Random ballot;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General

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