social dilemma

a situation that creates a conflict between the individual’s interests and the collective’s interests, such that the individual obtains better outcomes following strategies that over time will lead to suboptimal outcomes for the collective. Such situations have reward structures that favor individuals who act selfishly rather than in ways that benefit the larger social collective; however, if a substantial number of individuals seek maximum personal gain, their results will be lower than if they had sought collective outcomes. Social dilemmas are simulated in mixed-motive games, such as the prisoner’s dilemma. See also social trap.

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Psychology term of the day

November 21st 2024

CAT

1. abbreviation for California Achievement Tests.

2. abbreviation for Children’s Apperception Test.

3. abbreviation for the British version of the Cognitive Abilities Test.

4. abbreviation for computer adaptive testing.

5. acronym for computerized axial tomography (see computed tomography).