Universität zu Köln

Mussweiler, Thomas and Ockenfels, Axel (2013). Similarity increases altruistic punishment in humans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 110 (48). S. 19318 - 19324. WASHINGTON: NATL ACAD SCIENCES. ISSN 0027-8424

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Abstract

Humans are attracted to similar others. As a consequence, social networks are homogeneous in sociodemographic, intrapersonal, and other characteristics-a principle called homophily. Despite abundant evidence showing the importance of interpersonal similarity and homophily for human relationships, their behavioral correlates and cognitive foundations are poorly understood. Here, we show that perceived similarity substantially increases altruistic punishment, a key mechanism underlying human cooperation. We induced (dis)similarity perception by manipulating basic cognitive mechanisms in an economic cooperation game that included a punishment phase. We found that similarity-focused participants were more willing to punish others' uncooperative behavior. This influence of similarity is not explained by group identity, which has the opposite effect on altruistic punishment. Our findings demonstrate that pure similarity promotes reciprocity in ways known to encourage cooperation. At the same time, the increased willingness to punish norm violations among similarity-focused participants provides a rationale for why similar people are more likely to build stable social relationships. Finally, our findings show that altruistic punishment is differentially involved in encouraging cooperation under pure similarity vs. in-group conditions.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Mussweiler, Thomas UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ockenfels, Axel UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-471780
DOI:	10.1073/pnas.1215443110
Journal or Publication Title:	Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.
Volume:	110
Number:	48
Page Range:	S. 19318 - 19324
Date:	2013
Publisher:	NATL ACAD SCIENCES
Place of Publication:	WASHINGTON
ISSN:	0027-8424
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language PERSPECTIVE-TAKING; STRONG RECIPROCITY; SOCIAL IDENTITY; COOPERATION; COMPETITION; COGNITION; EMPATHY; MODEL Multiple languages Multidisciplinary Sciences Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/47178