Computer-mediated communication and cooperation in social dilemmas: an experimental analysis

Cristina Bicchieri and Azi Lev-On
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Azi Lev-On: University of Pennsylvania, USA, el322@nyu.edu

Politics, Philosophy & Economics, 2007, vol. 6, issue 2, 139-168

Abstract: One of the most consistent findings in experimental studies of social dilemmas is the positive influence of face-to-face communication on cooperation. The face-to-face `communication effect' has been recently explained in terms of a `focus theory of norms': successful communication focuses agents on pro-social norms, and induces preferences and expectations conducive to cooperation. 1 Many of the studies that point to a communication effect, however, do not further explore whether and to what extent the communication medium affects cooperative behavior. In this article, we ask if pro-social behavior can emerge and survive in computer-mediated environments. We show that, like face-to-face communication, computer-mediated communication also positively affects cooperation in social dilemmas, but cooperation is more difficult to establish and maintain. We argue that the discrepancy between the computer-mediated and the face-to-face communication effects is a consequence of the distinct capabilities of different media to focus agents on pro-social norms and to allow them to develop mutual expectations about future behavior.

Keywords: social dilemmas; laboratory experiments; communication; social norms; cooperation; computer-mediated communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:pophec:v:6:y:2007:i:2:p:139-168

DOI: 10.1177/1470594X07077267

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