Do individualists and collectivists cooperate differently?

Abstract

Do cultural mindsets shape cooperation? Individualists, who view people as independent, and collectivists, who see them as interconnected, make different decisions that impact governance and economic outcomes. This study tests individualism and collectivism (I/C) in indefinitely repeated prisoner’s dilemmas (IRPD) among in- and out-group members. We hypothesized that collectivists would cooperate more with in-group members, while individualists would treat all groups similarly. To explore causality, participants completed a group-identity task before the I/C measure in Strong-Identity treatment, but not in Weak-Identity treatment. Results show largely null I/C effects; only higher defection payoffs consistently reduced cooperation. Some evidence supports the Strong-Identity treatment leading to lower defection in groups exhibiting greater cohesion in the group-identity task.