Frontiers in Psychology (Jul 2014)

Preschoolers are sensitive to free riding in a public goods game

  • Martina eVogelsang,
  • Keith eJensen,
  • Sebastian eKirschner,
  • Claudio eTennie,
  • Michael eTomasello

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00729
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Despite the benefits of cooperation, selfish individuals often produce outcomes where everyone is worse off. This tragedy of the commons has been demonstrated experimentally in adults with the public goods game. Contributions to a public good decline over time due to free-riders who keep their endowments. Little is known about how children behave when confronted with this social dilemma. Forty-eight five-year-olds were tested using a novel nonverbal procedure and simplified choices more appropriate to their age than standard economic approaches. The rate of cooperation was initially very low and rose in the second round for the girls only. Children were affected by their previous outcome, as they free rode more after experiencing a lower outcome compared to the other group members.

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