PSY 005 Lecture Notes - Lecture 31: Robyn Dawes, Social Dilemma, Overfishing
23 Dec 2020
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Document Summary
Two partners in crime are picked up by the police for questioning. Although the police believe they have committed a major offence, there is only enough evidence to convict them on a minor charge. In order to sustain a conviction for the more serious crime, the police will have to convince one of them to testify against the other. Separated during questioning, the criminals weigh their alternatives. If neither confesses, they will both get light sentences on the minor charge. If both confess and plead guilty, they will both receive moderate sentences. But if one confesses and the other stays silent, the confessing criminal will secure immunity from prosecution while the silent criminal will pay the maximum penalty. This story forms the basis of the prisoner"s dilemma. Participants are given a series of choices in which they have the option of cooperating or competing with each other, but either option has potential costs.
