Learning Objectives
- To understand the evolutionary basis of prosocial behaviours.
- To understand evolutionary explanations for self-interest and altruism among related and unrelated individuals.
- To experience variations of the Prisoner’s Dilemma and discuss how they may encourage or discourage different responses.
- To reflect on the principles involved in shaping social behaviour.
Materials
- Multimedia display.
- Two decks of playing cards.
- Candy as an optional reward.
Overview
This lab involves a variety of games which model different motivators for prosocial and antisocial behaviour. Students critically examine their own behaviour in these activities and reflect on how those motivators may have affected them.
Time Allocation
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Introduction | 5 min |
| Single game | 10 min |
| Repeated game | 10 min |
| Ultimatum Game Show | 10 min |
| Class-wide dilemma | 5 min |
| Wrap-up | 5 min |
| Question submission | 5 min |
Single and repeated games
Students first play three one-off rounds of a split-or-steal card game, each against a different person. They then play five rounds with the same person. Comparing these versions makes it possible to discuss how repeated interaction, knowledge of the final round, and the point payouts affect cooperation.
Ultimatum Game Show
Two class representatives play a public ultimatum game. One divides eleven pieces of candy and the other either accepts the offer, allowing both to receive their share, or rejects it, leaving both with nothing.
Class-wide dilemma
The final activity presents another Prisoner’s Dilemma. Students privately choose whether to cooperate or defect, with the amount of work in the final submission depending on how many students defect.
Take-home message
- The Prisoner’s Dilemma is an application of game theory which can describe contexts from business negotiation to animal foraging.
- Evolution is not a conscious process.
- For a social species, the ability to cooperate contributes to fitness.
Final submission
- How could you manipulate the point payouts to increase or decrease cooperation? Explain how the changes would affect behaviour.
- Think of a real-life situation which exemplifies the Prisoner’s Dilemma. Explain it and relate it to the thought experiment.