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Pain as social glue: shared pain increases cooperation
Brock Bastian1, Jolanda Jetten2, Laura J Ferris2
1University of New South Wales b.bastian@unsw.edu.au.
Psychological Science
|September 7, 2014
Summary
Sharing painful experiences can foster cooperation and group bonding. This study reveals that shared pain promotes trusting relationships and enhances cooperation among strangers, highlighting its role in group formation.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Pain Perception
- Group Dynamics
Background:
- Painful experiences are common in social rituals globally.
- The social effects of pain, particularly its role in cooperation, remain under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether shared painful experiences can promote cooperation within social groups.
- To examine the causal link between shared pain and interpersonal bonding.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted involving small groups.
- Pain was induced through ice water immersion, leg squats, or consuming hot chili peppers.
- Participants' perceived bonding and cooperation in an economic game were measured.
Main Results:
- Compared to a no-pain control, shared painful experiences significantly increased perceived bonding among strangers.
- Cooperation in an economic game was enhanced in groups that shared painful experiences.
- Evidence supports a causal relationship between shared pain and increased cooperation.
Conclusions:
- Shared pain acts as a catalyst for social bonding and cooperation.
- This research demonstrates that experiencing pain together can be a significant factor in group formation.
- Findings offer insights into the evolutionary and social functions of pain.
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