Mutual interdependence versus repeated interaction: An experiment studying voluntary social exchange

Werner Güth, Maria Levati and Georg von Wangenheim
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Werner Güth: Max Planck Institute of Economics, Germany
Georg von Wangenheim: Kassel University, Germany

Rationality and Society, 2010, vol. 22, issue 2, 131-158

Abstract: Relations of mutual interdependence have been regarded as necessary for human cooperation to evolve. However, many studies in the social sciences indicate that repeated interaction suffices to establish cooperation. We examine this issue by means of a voluntary social exchange experiment where mutually interdependent players coexist with merely dependent ones. We systematically vary the degree of mutual interdependence and the length of the time horizon. According to our data, repetition of interactions is crucial for fostering cooperation, although people remain attentive to mutual interdependencies.

Keywords: profit sharing; reciprocity; voluntary social exchange experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:22:y:2010:i:2:p:131-158

DOI: 10.1177/1043463110366230

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