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Updated: Oct 20, 2025
06:41
Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
94.1K
Prosociality in science.
Marlene Sophie Altenmüller1, Mario Gollwitzer1
1Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|September 11, 2021
Summary
Scientific work involves both collaboration and competition, presenting social dilemmas. Prosocial behaviors like cooperation and trust help researchers navigate these challenges, fostering collective advancement.
Area of Science:
- Science and Technology Studies
- Sociology of Science
Background:
- Scientific progress relies on both collaboration and competition.
- Research activities often present inherent social dilemmas for scientists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze scientific work routines as social dilemmas.
- To identify prosocial behaviors that facilitate the resolution of these dilemmas.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on scientific work and social dynamics.
- Analysis of contemporary scientific practices, including public engagement and open science.
Main Results:
- Scientific work routines are framed as social dilemmas.
- Cooperation (sacrificing personal gain for collective benefit) and trust (vulnerability to exploitation) are key prosociality facets.
- Willingness to engage with the public and commitment to open science exemplify these prosocial behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Prosociality, specifically cooperation and trust, is crucial for overcoming social dilemmas in science.
- Practices like public engagement and open science highlight the importance of these prosocial behaviors for scientific advancement.
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