1. Introduction
Behavioral game theory has been used extensively in experimental research, focussing on altruism, fairness and cooperation (see Camerer, 2003). Game theory assumes that people behave rationally when making decisions and in order to maximise personal gain, people should behave selfishly when allocating resources. However, this is not always the case as people take the receiver’s payoffs into account, as well as their own (Fehr & Fischbacher, 2003). Game theory enables us to test simple predictions, identify predictors and moderators of prosocial behaviour (Benenson, Pascoe & Radmore, 2007; Cappelen, Nielsen, Sorensen, Tungodden, & Tyran, 2013). Attractiveness may be a predictor of how we distribute resources.
Many authors argue …show more content…
However, the literature has yielded inconsistent and inconclusive findings (see Balliet et al., 2011 for a review). A contemporary explanation for sex differences in cooperation and generosity derives from sexual selection theory suggesting that attractiveness could moderate generosity. Attractive people are treated favourably in a number of contexts (see Langlois et al., 2000; Maner et al., 2003). The sexual selection hypothesis has been tested by researchers who have argued (and found) that males and females are more generous and cooperative towards physically attractive participants (e.g. Andreoni & Petrie, 2008; Farrelly, Lazarus & Roberts, 2007; Mulford, Orbell, Shatto & Stockard, 1998; Solnick & Schweitzer, 1999). Farrelly et al. (2007) conducted a key study in which participants played a series of online economic games investigating whether attractiveness influenced altruism. They found that participants were cooperative with attractive members of the opposite sex. Moreover, offers made by females are more often accepted than offers made by males (Eckel & Grossman, 2001). Much research has found that males behave more generously towards attractive females (Eagly & Crowley, 1986; Goldgberg, 1995; Iredale, Van Vugt & Dunbar 2008; Miller, 2000). However, little research has been conducted investigating the role of physical attractiveness in face-to-face game-theoretical situations. Research has found that people are more trusting towards attractive people when playing the trust game (Wilson & Eckel, 2006); however, Saad and Gill (2001) found physical attractiveness had no influence on offers in an ultimatum game. The research outlined provides a rationale for conducting studies 1 to 3 reported in this
Behavioral game theory has been used extensively in experimental research, focussing on altruism, fairness and cooperation (see Camerer, 2003). Game theory assumes that people behave rationally when making decisions and in order to maximise personal gain, people should behave selfishly when allocating resources. However, this is not always the case as people take the receiver’s payoffs into account, as well as their own (Fehr & Fischbacher, 2003). Game theory enables us to test simple predictions, identify predictors and moderators of prosocial behaviour (Benenson, Pascoe & Radmore, 2007; Cappelen, Nielsen, Sorensen, Tungodden, & Tyran, 2013). Attractiveness may be a predictor of how we distribute resources.
Many authors argue …show more content…
However, the literature has yielded inconsistent and inconclusive findings (see Balliet et al., 2011 for a review). A contemporary explanation for sex differences in cooperation and generosity derives from sexual selection theory suggesting that attractiveness could moderate generosity. Attractive people are treated favourably in a number of contexts (see Langlois et al., 2000; Maner et al., 2003). The sexual selection hypothesis has been tested by researchers who have argued (and found) that males and females are more generous and cooperative towards physically attractive participants (e.g. Andreoni & Petrie, 2008; Farrelly, Lazarus & Roberts, 2007; Mulford, Orbell, Shatto & Stockard, 1998; Solnick & Schweitzer, 1999). Farrelly et al. (2007) conducted a key study in which participants played a series of online economic games investigating whether attractiveness influenced altruism. They found that participants were cooperative with attractive members of the opposite sex. Moreover, offers made by females are more often accepted than offers made by males (Eckel & Grossman, 2001). Much research has found that males behave more generously towards attractive females (Eagly & Crowley, 1986; Goldgberg, 1995; Iredale, Van Vugt & Dunbar 2008; Miller, 2000). However, little research has been conducted investigating the role of physical attractiveness in face-to-face game-theoretical situations. Research has found that people are more trusting towards attractive people when playing the trust game (Wilson & Eckel, 2006); however, Saad and Gill (2001) found physical attractiveness had no influence on offers in an ultimatum game. The research outlined provides a rationale for conducting studies 1 to 3 reported in this