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Mutualism is only a part of human morality
1Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87501, and Department of Economics, Central European University, 1051 Budapest, Hungary. hgintis@comcast.net
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 1, 2013
Summary
This study refines a model of individual and social choice, incorporating genetic predispositions like strong reciprocity and norm internalization. The proposed framework encompasses other models as a subset, offering a more comprehensive view of decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Social Psychology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Existing models of individual and social choice behavior require refinement.
- Understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and social behavior is crucial.
- Previous work by Fehr & Gintis (2007) provides a foundation for modeling constrained choice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a more comprehensive model of individual and social choice behavior.
- To incorporate key genetic predispositions influencing decision-making.
- To demonstrate how the proposed model encompasses existing frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Developing a theoretical model of preference maximization under constraints.
- Integrating genetic predispositions such as strong reciprocity and norm internalization.
- Analyzing trade-offs between self-regarding, other-regarding, and virtue-based goals.
Main Results:
- The refined model accurately captures individual and social choice dynamics.
- Strong reciprocity and norm internalization are identified as critical genetic factors.
- The proposed model is shown to be a superset of the Baumard et al. model.
Conclusions:
- The developed model offers a robust framework for understanding human decision-making.
- Genetic factors significantly shape social preferences and behavior.
- This work advances the integration of evolutionary and psychological perspectives in economics.
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