Assumptions of Human Nature, and Initial Expectations and Behavior as Mediators of Sex Effects in Prisoner's Dilemma Research

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Abstract
This research investigated the influence of assumptions regarding human nature, expectations of opponent's initial behavior and early game interpersonal behavior on subsequent levels of cooperation in a mixed motive, nonzero sum game. It was hypothesized that differential effects for males and females may be due to their different assumptions, expectations, and different responses to initial interpersonal behavior. It was found that: (1) women had a more positive view of human nature, however assumptions about human nature were not related to initial expectations or behavior; (2) women had a slightly higher expectation of cooperation from their opponents and this was highly related to initial cooperation; (3) women had more unconfirmed expectations of cooperation and for women this was negatively related to early game levels of cooperation; and (4) initial levels of cooperation and early game interpersonal patterns of cooperation were an important influence on later levels of game behavior and these factors were more influential for males.

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