A social dilemma is a problem wherein a group of people are faced with making choices that would either benefit each person individually or the whole subset. There has been a long-standing and harmful stereotype that men are more likely to make selfish decisions when faced with a social dilemma, but new research published by the American Psychological Association suggests otherwise.
In a study involving more than 31,600 people, a team of scientists found no statistical differences between sexes in the choices they would make. Additionally, both genders tended to say that they would be more likely to make a decision that would benefit the whole group.
"It is a social dilemma because each individual gains more by defecting regardless of what the other person does, but they will both be better off if they both cooperate," said the study's lead author, Daniel Balliet, Ph.D.
The researchers said that the prejudice suggesting that men are more selfish may have roots in evolution.
"The argument is that throughout human evolutionary history, male coalitions have been an effective strategy for men to acquire resources, such as food and property," said Balliet. "Both hunting and warfare are social dilemmas in that they firmly pit individual and group interests against each other.
The results of this study may prove to be motivational stories about success for people who had previously had pessimistic thoughts about others' attitudes regarding society. Additionally, the findings suggest that Ilchi Lee may be on to something when he talks about people living in harmony with one another.
Lee's inspirational stories about change are largely centered on the idea that it is possible, and likely, that people will one day regard each other as Earth citizens.
