Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025

The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
Published on: January 19, 2019
Self-Benefit and Others' Benefit in Cooperative Behavior in Shared Space
Shota Matsubayashi1, Kazuhisa Miwa1, Hitoshi Terai2
1Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan.
Objective:
The objective is to clarify the nature of cooperative moving behavior that realizes smooth traffic with others from the viewpoint of the trade-off between self-benefit and others' benefit in the shared space.
Background:
The shared space is not constrained by formal rules or behavioral norms, and is a potentially ambiguous situation where it is not clear who has priority. Therefore, the nature of cooperative behavior in the shared space is unclear.
Method:
An experimental task was conducted to compare cooperative and nonurgent moving behavior regarding completion time (self-benefit), the amount of interruption (others' benefit), and the amount of operation (cognitive effort).
Results:
First, cooperative behavior benefits others. Second, although cooperative behavior decreases self-benefit compared to the baseline without any instructions, it can obtain relatively more self-benefit than nonurgent behavior without considering self-benefit. Third, cooperative behavior requires cognitive effort.
Conclusion:
Cooperative behavior provides benefit to both oneself and others by spending cognitive effort in not interrupting others.
Application:
If the nature of the cooperative behavior can be clarified, a cooperative module can be implemented into the algorithms of various mobilities.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Altruism
Symbiosis
Egoism and Altruism
Inclusive Fitness
Robbers Cave
Social Loafing

