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The importance of cognitive diversity for sustaining the commons

Author

Listed:
  • Jacopo A. Baggio

    (University of Central Florida
    Sustainable Coastal Systems Cluster, National Center of Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida)

  • Jacob Freeman

    (Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University
    Ecology Center, Utah State University)

  • Thomas R. Coyle

    (University of Texas at San Antonio)

  • Tam The Nguyen

    (Utah State University)

  • Dale Hancock

    (University of Texas at San Antonio)

  • Karrie E. Elpers

    (University of Texas at San Antonio)

  • Samantha Nabity

    (Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University)

  • H. J. Francois Dengah II

    (Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University)

  • David Pillow

    (University of Texas at San Antonio)

Abstract

Cognitive abilities underpin the capacity of individuals to build models of their environment and make decisions about how to govern resources. Here, we test the functional intelligences proposition that functionally diverse cognitive abilities within a group are critical to govern common pool resources. We assess the effect of two cognitive abilities, social and general intelligence, on group performance on a resource harvesting and management game involving either a negative or a positive disturbance to the resource base. Our results indicate that under improving conditions (positive disturbance) groups with higher general intelligence perform better. However, when conditions deteriorate (negative disturbance) groups with high competency in both general and social intelligence are less likely to deplete resources and harvest more. Thus, we propose that a functional diversity of cognitive abilities improves how effectively social groups govern common pool resources, especially when conditions deteriorate and groups need to re-evaluate and change their behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacopo A. Baggio & Jacob Freeman & Thomas R. Coyle & Tam The Nguyen & Dale Hancock & Karrie E. Elpers & Samantha Nabity & H. J. Francois Dengah II & David Pillow, 2019. "The importance of cognitive diversity for sustaining the commons," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-08549-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08549-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Payam Aminpour & Heike Schwermer & Steven Gray, 2021. "Do social identity and cognitive diversity correlate in environmental stakeholders? A novel approach to measuring cognitive distance within and between groups," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Jacopo A. Baggio, 2021. "Knowledge generation via social-knowledge network co-evolution: 30 years (1990–2019) of adaptation, mitigation and transformation related to climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 167(1), pages 1-16, July.

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