Resolving selfish and spiteful interdependent conflict
Abstract
Interdependence occurs when individuals have a stake in the success or failure of others, such that the outcomes experienced by one individual also generate costs or benefits for others. Discussion on this topic has typically focused on positive interdependence (where gains for one individual result in gains for another) and on the consequences for cooperation. However, interdependence can also be negative (where gains for one individual result in losses for another), which can spark conflict. In this article, we explain when negative interdependence is likely to arise and, crucially, the role played by (mis)perception in shaping an individual’s understanding of their interdependent relationships. We argue that, owing to the difficulty in accurately perceiving interdependence with others, individuals might often be mistaken about the stake they hold in each other’s outcomes, which can spark needless, resolvable forms of conflict. We then discuss when and how reducing misperceptions can help to resolve such conflicts. We argue that a key mechanism for resolving interdependent conflict, along with better sources of exogenous information, is to reduce reliance on heuristics such as stereotypes when assessing the nature of our interdependent relationships.
Citation
Stewart , A J , Pilgrim , C & Raihani , N J 2024 , ' Resolving selfish and spiteful interdependent conflict ' , Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences , vol. 291 , no. 2020 , 20240295 . https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.0295
Publication
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0962-8452Type
Journal item
Description
This project/publication was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. A.J.S. is also supported by the John Templeton Foundation grant no. 62281. N.J.R. is also supported by the Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust.Collections
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