A Consideration of Social Traps

Transcription

1 A Consideration of Social Traps

2 What You Just Experienced

3 The M&M game reflects the Tragedy of the Commons. There are different outcomes that can be expected.

4 This game demonstrates that if everyone collaborates and works together at the end the group will have plenty of the resource (M&M s) to share. On the other hand, if one person abuses the resources he/she will greatly benefit, but other people using the commons will be left in a terrible situation (no M&M s).

5 The M&M activity is an example of a system where choosing self-interest is not the best option for all involved but it is encouraged in short-term action by the nature of the system. This is a type of social trap.

6 Social traps include such things as Commons dilemma (Tragedy of the Commons): an individual can act in the interest of the community or act in their own interest Social dilemma (Prisoners dilemma): occurs when there is an option to cooperate or compete with another person Resource dilemma: occurs when there is a resource that is renewable, desirable and limited

7 Each of these examples has two options, either working in self-interest or public interest.

8 Choosing the selfinterested choice will produce better results for the individual when compared to the public interest choice. If everyone opts to act in public interest, everyone will benefit.

9 Prisoner s Dilemma

10 Prisoner A Stays Silent Prisoner B Stays Silent Each serves 6 months Prisoner B Betrays Prisoner A: 10 years Prisoner B: Goes Free Prisoner A Betrays Prisoner A: Goes Free Prisoner B: 10 years Each serves 5 years

11 This dilemma is another representation of a social trap. Just as in the M&M s game, acting in one s self interest may not be best for all parties. Two major differences in the situations: Immediacy Tit-for-tat pattern

12 Everyday and Environmental

13 Teacher policy sometimes allows for exam grades to be curved if everyone in the class does poorly. An option for the student, then, is to cheat on a difficult exam. However, if the entire class cheats it is highly probable that the teacher will notice and punish the class.

14 Nobody in Class Cheats Everybody in Class Cheats Student Does Not Cheat Student: B Class Average: B Student: D Class Average: A Student Cheats Student: A Class Average: D Student: C Class Average: C Commons Dilemma

15 Common washers and dryers are standard on Frostburg s campus. People abuse the resource which limits its use by others. People may wash many small loads and take up a lot of time. If many people wait until they have a lot of laundry then the resource cannot provide for everyone either. Commons Dilemma

16 Unfortunately, these tragedies are not limited to problems in everyday living. The following table is hypothetical payout chart of U.S./China CO2 emissions.

17 China Produces Low C02 China Produces High CO2 U.S Produces Low CO2 U.S. Payout: 400 China Payout: 400 U.S. Payout: 100 China Payout: 500 U.S. Produces High CO2 U.S. Payout: 500 China Payout: 100 U.S. Payout: 250 China Payout: 250 Social Dilemma

18 Resources like trees can also fall into a social trap. Conflict between economics of harvesting lumber and the need to keep sustainable forests/ecosystems. Resource Dilemma

19 Water conservation efforts are often hindered by the same problems of resource dilemma. People may use more of it than they actually need. Pollution of the resource can occur as well.

20 Sustainability Through Regulation

21 Sustainability Maintaining the balance and productivity of a system Commons Place of collective ownership, generally where important resources are shared *Sustainability of the commons can be achieved through collective agreement not to abuse the commons.*

22 Hot wings are occasionally served at late night. The cafeteria staff only let people take a certain amount wings, otherwise people would fall into a social trap and take as many as they like. (I.E) sustaining a limited resource through regulation.

23 Be mindful: Social traps are everywhere. When sharing a common resource, be considerate. Try not to let the immediate appeal of personal gain outweigh the long-term benefits for all.

24 Avoid abusing common resources and think about trying to conserve common resources such as water. Remember: Important global issues need to be addressed with the Tragedy of the Commons in mind.

25