Societal norms and the shadow of the mind: Averting the tragedy of the commons through a new understanding of cooperation

Abstract

This exposition introduces a groundbreaking model that elucidates the role of societal norms and the preconscious in shaping cooperative behaviour, particularly with an eye towards averting the tragedy of the commons as conceptualised by the Prisoner’s Dilemma. Moving beyond the confines of rational-choice paradigms, this study harmonises Weber’s sociological theories with Freudian psychological insights, unveiling the nuanced interplay between conscious decision-making and deeper, preconscious motivations towards cooperation. It argues that an intricate understanding of both societal norms and the preconscious is crucial for crafting effective strategies to tackle the challenges of collective resource management.

Keywords

• Prisoner’s dilemma
• Tragedy of the commons
• Societal norms and cooperation
• Preconscious decision-making
• Sociopsychological influences on cooperation