When does group norm or group identity predict cooperation in a public goods dilemma? The moderating effects of idiocentrism and allocentrism

Chen, Xiao-Ping and Wasti, S. Arzu and Triandis, Harry C. (2007) When does group norm or group identity predict cooperation in a public goods dilemma? The moderating effects of idiocentrism and allocentrism. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 31 (2). pp. 259-276. ISSN 0147-1767

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Abstract

In this study we examined how perceived group norm and group identity influence individual cooperative behavior in a public goods dilemma across cultural settings. Six hundred and eight students in the United States and People's Republic of China participated in a laboratory experiment in which group norm and group identity were manipulated and the individual cultural orientations of idiocentrism and allocentrism were measured. We found that idiocentrism and allocentrism moderated the relationship between perceived group norm and cooperation but not between group identity and cooperation. In particular, members who endorsed allocentrism to a greater extent cooperated more when they perceived a more cooperative group norm than did members who endorsed lower levels of allocentrism. On the other hand, people scored high on idiocentrism cooperated less when perceiving a more cooperative norm than did people scored low on idiocentrism. The results suggest that allocentrics are not cooperative in every context but are rather highly sensitive to social cues whereas idiocentrics, while tending to behave in a way that maximizes personal outcomes at the expense of the group, are also somewhat aloof to the situation.
Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: group norm; group identity; culture; cooperation; social dilemma
Subjects: E History America > E151-904 United States (General)
Divisions: Sabancı Business School
Sabancı Business School > Organization
Depositing User: Arzu S. Wasti
Date Deposited: 31 Jan 2007 02:00
Last Modified: 26 Apr 2022 07:59
URI: https://research.sabanciuniv.edu/id/eprint/6

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