Framing and feedback in social dilemmas with partners and strangers (Q1651814)

Summary: We study framing effects in repeated social dilemmas by comparing payoff-equivalent give- and take-framed public goods games under varying matching mechanisms (partners or strangers) and levels of feedback (aggregate or individual). In the give-framed game, players contribute to a public good, while in the take-framed game, players take from an existing public good. The results show take framing and individual-level feedback lead to more extreme behavior (free-riding and full cooperation), especially for partners. These results suggest take framing and individual-level feedback increase the variability of cooperation.