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The puzzle of human cooperation

Author

Listed:
  • Dominic D. P. Johnson

    (Olin Institute for Strategic Studies, Harvard University)

  • Pavel Stopka

    (Charles University)

  • Stephen Knights

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

Humans often defy rational-choice theory by cooperating in simple dilemma games1, a paradox that has been explained by theories of kin selection2, reciprocal altruism3 and indirect reciprocity (reputation)4. Fehr and Gächter claim that human cooperation remains an evolutionary puzzle because people will cooperate with genetically unrelated strangers, often in large groups, with people whom they may not meet again, and without any gain in reputation ('strong reciprocity')5 — that is, when existing theories do not seem to apply. However, we argue that those theories are rejected for the wrong reasons and that the paradox may therefore be imaginary. This has implications for whether punishment is crucial to promoting cooperation5,6,7,8.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominic D. P. Johnson & Pavel Stopka & Stephen Knights, 2003. "The puzzle of human cooperation," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6926), pages 911-912, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:421:y:2003:i:6926:d:10.1038_421911b
    DOI: 10.1038/421911b
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmed, Ali M. & Salas, Osvaldo, 2008. "In the back of your mind: Subliminal influences of religious concepts on prosocial behavior," Working Papers in Economics 331, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    2. Shuo Wang & Zhuang Li & Weidong Li & Hua Jiang, 2022. "Continuous Spatial Public Goods Game Based on Particle Swarm Optimization with Memory Stability," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(23), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Yunsheng Deng & Jihui Zhang, 2022. "The choice-decision based on memory and payoff favors cooperation in stag hunt game on interdependent networks," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 95(2), pages 1-13, February.
    4. Eric Schniter & Roman M. Sheremeta & Timothy Shields, 2011. "Conflicted Minds: Recalibrational Emotions Following Trust-based Interaction," Working Papers 11-12, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    5. Quan, Ji & Shi, Yuang & Wang, Xianjia, 2023. "Effect of fairness-based sympathy and retaliation on cooperation in multi-player dilemma games," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 449(C).
    6. Wang, Weijie & Xu, Zhehang & Hua, Shijia & Cui, Longqing & Zhang, Jianlin & Meng, Fanyuan, 2024. "Threshold-initiated spatial public goods games," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    7. Quan, Ji & Dong, Xu & Wang, Xianjia, 2022. "Rational conformity behavior in social learning promotes cooperation in spatial public goods game," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 425(C).
    8. Eric Schniter & Timothy Shields, 2013. "Recalibrational Emotions and the Regulation of Trust-Based Behaviors," Working Papers 13-16, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    9. Quan, Ji & Pu, Zhenjuan & Wang, Xianjia, 2021. "Comparison of social exclusion and punishment in promoting cooperation: Who should play the leading role?," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    10. Ahmed, Ali & Salas, Osvaldo, 2008. "Is the Hand of God Involved in Human Cooperation? An Experimental Examination of the Supernatural Punishment Theory," CAFO Working Papers 2009:1, Linnaeus University, Centre for Labour Market Policy Research (CAFO), School of Business and Economics.
    11. Quan, Ji & Zhang, Xiyue & Chen, Wenman & Tang, Caixia & Wang, Xianjia, 2024. "Reputation-dependent social learning on the evolution of cooperation in spatial public goods games," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 475(C).
    12. Wang, Mie & Kang, HongWei & Shen, Yong & Sun, XingPing & Chen, QingYi, 2021. "The role of alliance cooperation in spatial public goods game," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    13. Quan, Ji & Zhou, Yawen & Wang, Xianjia & Yang, Jian-Bo, 2020. "Information fusion based on reputation and payoff promotes cooperation in spatial public goods game," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 368(C).
    14. Gilbert Roberts, 2013. "When Punishment Pays," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-8, March.
    15. Quan, Ji & Zhou, Yawen & Wang, Xianjia & Yang, Jian-Bo, 2020. "Evidential reasoning based on imitation and aspiration information in strategy learning promotes cooperation in optional spatial public goods game," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    16. Deng, Yunsheng & Zhang, Jihui, 2021. "The role of the preferred neighbor with the expected payoff on cooperation in spatial public goods game under optimal strategy selection mechanism," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 584(C).
    17. Quan, Ji & Yang, Wenjun & Li, Xia & Wang, Xianjia & Yang, Jian-Bo, 2020. "Social exclusion with dynamic cost on the evolution of cooperation in spatial public goods games," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 372(C).
    18. Zhu, Wenqiang & Pan, Qiuhui & Song, Sha & He, Mingfeng, 2023. "Effects of exposure-based reward and punishment on the evolution of cooperation in prisoner’s dilemma game," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    19. Ahmed, Ali M. & Salas, Osvaldo, 2008. "Is The Hand Of God Involved In Human Cooperation?An Experimental Examination Of The Supernatural Punishment Theory," CAFO Working Papers 2008:1, Linnaeus University, Centre for Labour Market Policy Research (CAFO), School of Business and Economics.
    20. Shen, Yong & Lei, Wei & Kang, Hongwei & Li, Mingyuan & Sun, Xingping & Chen, Qingyi, 2023. "Evolutionary dynamics of public goods game with tax-based rewarding cooperators," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 175(P1).
    21. Quan, Ji & Liu, Wei & Chu, Yuqing & Wang, Xianjia, 2018. "Stochastic dynamics and stable equilibrium of evolutionary optional public goods game in finite populations," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 502(C), pages 123-134.
    22. Quan, Ji & Tang, Caixia & Zhou, Yawen & Wang, Xianjia & Yang, Jian-Bo, 2020. "Reputation evaluation with tolerance and reputation-dependent imitation on cooperation in spatial public goods game," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    23. Espín, Antonio M. & Brañas-Garza, Pablo & Gamella, Juan & Herrmann, Benedikt & Martin, Jesus, 2019. "Bringing together “old” and “new” ways of solving social dilemmas? The case of Spanish Gitanos," MPRA Paper 95423, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    24. Liu, Yifan & Geng, Yini & Du, Chunpeng & Hu, Kaipeng & Shen, Chen & Pansini, Riccardo & Shi, Lei, 2021. "The interface of unidirectional rewards: Enhanced cooperation within interdependent networks," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 402(C).

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