Environmental concern and cooperative-competitive behavior in a simulated commons dilemma

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Environmental Psychology
• Behavioral Economics

Background:

• Commons dilemma simulation games model the preservation and destruction of natural resources.
• Understanding factors influencing sustainable resource management is crucial for environmental policy.
• Previous research has explored individual differences in environmental behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between environmental concern and behavior in commons dilemma simulation games.
• To determine whether cooperation and competition predict performance in resource management scenarios.
• To examine the influence of personality traits like Machiavellianism on commons dilemma outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments involving introductory psychology students playing resource management games (points or trees).
• Participants were assigned to varying levels of environmental concern or assessed on personality traits.
• Behavioral intentions (signing petitions, participating in environmental activities) were measured post-game.

Main Results:

• Environmental concern and pro-environmental behaviors were not significantly related to performance in the commons dilemma games.
• In the second experiment, Machiavellianism, other players' choices, and altruism correlated with individual outcomes.
• Cooperation and competition emerged as more significant predictors of behavior than environmental concern.

Conclusions:

• Environmental concern alone is not a strong predictor of behavior in commons dilemma situations.
• Social dynamics, specifically cooperation and competition, play a more critical role in resource management.
• Future research should consider social factors and personality when studying environmental decision-making.