The commons dilemma : a quantitative review
Date
1990
Authors
Hine, Donald William
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Abstract
Commons dilemmas involve a conflict between individual and group interests with respect to the management of limited shared resources. Many of the most serious problems facing mankind (e.g., the greenhouse effect, the destruction of South American rainforests, ocean pollution, etc.) can be recast in commons dilemma terms. Within psychology, the bulk of commons dilemma research has focused on identifying factors that increase cooperation among consumers (and hence resource management efficiency) of shared resources.
A quantitative synthesis of over 20 years of commons dilemma research is presented. The results of series of meta-analyses suggest the relation between eight factors (moral suasion, forced equal outcomes, previous experience, communication, group size, privatization, cooperative social values, resource pool feedback, and providing dilemma-related information and strategies) and cooperation/resource management efficiency are especially robust. Theoretical and methodological implications of the reported findings are discussed, as are suggestions for future research.