The Effect of Group Attitude Diversity on Cooperation in Social Dilemmas: When and How do Undecided People Promote Cooperation?
Publication Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
11-2012
Abstract
Groups often have members who hold opposing opinions on specific issues. The presence of undecided people within a group may promote cooperation among group members who hold opposing views on an issue under consideration. The study examined the joint effects of group attitude diversity (i.e. mixed attitude diversity vs. polarized attitude diversity) and one’s strength of attitude on the cooperation. In groups considering a controversial issue with no undecided group members (i.e. polarized attitude diversity), people with strong attitudes were less likely than those with weak attitudes to cooperate with group members who held opposing views. However, the above differences became non-significant when participants were placed in groups with some undecided group members (i.e. mixed attitude diversity). The results from the study suggested that the presence of undecided group members mitigates the negative impact of attitude strength on subsequent cooperation.
Discipline
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Publication
International Association for Conflict Management 25th Annual Conference, 11-14 July 2012
City or Country
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Citation
TSAI, Ming-Hong.(2012). The Effect of Group Attitude Diversity on Cooperation in Social Dilemmas: When and How do Undecided People Promote Cooperation?. Paper presented at the International Association for Conflict Management 25th Annual Conference, 11-14 July 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1282
Additional URL
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1615209