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

January 13th 2025

discontinuity hypothesis

in Gestalt psychology, the viewpoint that emphasizes the role of sudden insight and perceptual reorganization in successful discrimination learning and problem solving. According to this view, a correct answer is only recognized when its relation to the issue as a whole is discovered. Also called discontinuity theory. Compare continuity hypothesis. See also aha experience; all-or-none learning; eureka task.