How are humans different from other animals (non-human primates):
- Self reflect? (exception dolphins, elephants etc.)
- Language (humans have a strong way to communicate spoken language), written language.
- Creative (other animals do have levels of creativeness, but not at the same level of humans)
- Concept of time; humans can plan in the future. Long term perspective!
- Concept of dead (related to concept of time)
- Morals
We may not be so unique as we expect, new research has shown us that we can see ‘expected unique human
behaviour’ by other animals.
1) Cooperation
2) Coordination
3) Communication
4) Creative problem solving
These 4 C’s in this combination creates something unique for the human species.
The structure of Groups
A collection of individuals that look alike, and that feel connected to the same categories. Your destination is
connected to others in a group.
(1) Some similarities that sets them apart from other people
(2) Relative proximity; you can easy access each other
(3) Common faith (inter dependency)
Individual Decisions that create Joint outcomes
- Social Dilemmas
- Coordination Games
Joint Decisions, Joint Outcomes;
- Agreement Games (bargaining/negotiation)
- Group Decision Making
- Creative Problem Solving
The individual games in the slides are examples of social dilemmas.
What is cooperation?
Personally costly behaviour that benefits others
Costs to other include: (energy, time, money, increased risk, e.g. injury)
Benefits to other include: (money, time, energy, reduced risk, feeling supported, safe, (cognitive)
functioning/performance, (Mental) Health.
Example cognitive functioning/performance: Helping someone with their homework.
We see this cooperation
- Interpersonal
- Within (small) Groups (friends, work teams, soccer fans, communities)
- Between groups (political parties, units within organizations, nations)
Mixed-Motive: Parties benefit from joint cooperation but also from competing (exploiting others).
Reciprocal control: my behaviour influences my own outcomes
Fate control: your behaviour influences my outcomes
Behavioural control: own behaviour influence others preferences
Coordination: if we coordinate our outcomes; they can be great. When outcomes are not coordinating; the
outcome can be bad for both groups.