Social behaviour in the use of resources

The Dilemma of the Commons provides an experimental environment for the study of social conflicts, and a series of interdependent social behaviours can be analysed. This study sought to investigate the effect of response cost on the use of a renewable and finite resource, by means of an experimental analogue of macro-contingencies. The procedure used the Common Dilemma Game (CDG), in which 15 students from the University of Brasilia took part. The results showed a change in preference for cooperative and competitive behaviour as a result of the contingency in force, demonstrating a tendency towards avoidance behaviour in the presence of response cost. Therefore, greater effort in the response can make it aversive and lead to its reduction or extinction. Preference for the component with the lowest response effort occurs with increases in response cost. By combining the Common People's Dilemma game and a macrocontingency programme, it was possible to simulate natural problems and suggest important relationships present in the natural environment.