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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm
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The private solution trap in collective action problems across 34 nations.

Eugene Malthouse1, Charlie Pilgrim2, Daniel Sgroi3

  • 1Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NR7 2QX, United Kingdom.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|March 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The private solution trap occurs when individuals choose private adaptations over public ones, worsening inequality. Wealthier individuals are more likely to opt for private solutions, neglecting collective action and leaving the less fortunate unprotected.

Keywords:
climate changecross-cultural studyhuman cooperationprivate solutionssocial dilemma

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Area of Science:

  • Social Sciences
  • Behavioral Economics
  • Environmental Studies

Background:

  • Collective action problems arise from misaligned individual incentives and group interests, exemplified by climate change.
  • Individuals typically face a choice between contributing to public solutions or free-riding.
  • A third option, investing in private solutions like local adaptation, can lead to a 'private solution trap'.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the 'private solution trap' in collective action games.
  • To examine the impact of private solutions and wealth inequality on public good provision.
  • To explore cross-cultural variations and universal pathways in addressing collective action problems.

Main Methods:

  • A collective action game was designed with options for private and public solutions.
  • Wealth inequality was manipulated, determined by luck or merit.
  • Participants from 34 countries were involved to assess cultural influences.

Main Results:

  • Participants with higher endowments disproportionately chose private solutions over public ones, regardless of wealth origin (luck or merit).
  • Wealth inequality consistently increased across all countries, with lower-endowed individuals often unprotected due to lack of public solutions.
  • Cultural values of hierarchy and harmony correlated with preferences for private and public solutions, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • The private solution trap is a ubiquitous phenomenon with significant cultural underpinnings.
  • Wealth inequality exacerbates the trap, leading to reduced public solution provision and increased disparities.
  • Early contributions and conditional cooperation represent universal strategies for promoting public solutions.