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The origins of human prosociality: Cultural group selection in the workplace and the laboratory

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick François

    (Genomic Research Laboratory, Service of Infectious Diseases; - HUG - Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève)

  • Thomas Fujiwara
  • Tanguy van Ypersele

    (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Human prosociality toward nonkin is ubiquitous and almost unique in the animal kingdom. It remains poorly understood, although a proliferation of theories has arisen to explain it. We present evidence from survey data and laboratory treatment of experimental subjects that is consistent with a set of theories based on group-level selection of cultural norms favoring prosociality. In particular, increases in competition increase trust levels of individuals who (i) work in firms facing more competition, (ii) live in states where competition increases, (iii) move to more competitive industries, and (iv) are placed into groups facing higher competition in a laboratory experiment. The findings provide support for cultural group selection as a contributor to human prosociality. As predicted by cultural group selection, increases in firm-level competition raise the generalized trust of workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick François & Thomas Fujiwara & Tanguy van Ypersele, 2018. "The origins of human prosociality: Cultural group selection in the workplace and the laboratory," Post-Print hal-01980632, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01980632
    DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat2201
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    Cited by:

    1. Perez-Alvarez, Marcello & Strulik, Holger, 2021. "Nepotism, human capital and economic development," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 211-240.
    2. Teevrat Garg & Caterina Gennaioli & Stefania Lovo & Gregor Singer, 2023. "Can Competition Reduce Conflict?," CESifo Working Paper Series 10568, CESifo.
    3. Ma, Yin-Jie & Jiang, Zhi-Qiang & Podobnik, Boris, 2022. "Predictability of players’ actions as a mechanism to boost cooperation," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    4. Guanghua Han & Yida Zhai, 2024. "The association between food insecurity and social capital under the lockdowns in COVID-hit Shanghai," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(1), pages 130-147, January.
    5. Christian Cordes, 2019. "The promises of a naturalistic approach: how cultural evolution theory can inform (evolutionary) economics," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 1241-1262, September.
    6. Mehmood, Sultan & Naseer, Shaheen & Chen, Daniel L., 2024. "Altruism in governance: Insights from randomized training for Pakistan's junior ministers," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    7. Schilpzand, Annemiek & de Jong, Eelke, 2023. "Do market societies undermine civic morality? An empirical investigation into market societies and civic morality across the globe," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 39-60.

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