Entry requirements
This course is only available for Master’s students in Psychology.
Description
Humans are social animals and much of their remarkable evolutionary trajectory has been attributed to their capacity to work in relatively cohesive groups of genetically unrelated others. It is in groups that humans perfected ways to disseminate knowledge, insights, and values, that negotiation and economic trade evolved, and the social and technological innovations were designed, disseminated, and implemented that have influenced, and continue to influence, the life of many. Nowadays, groups are core building blocks of almost every society, and crucial in almost any organization. While humans are uniquely cooperative, cooperation is also a mean to coordinate conflicts and subordinate other groups, or collectively engage in corruption and fraudulent behaviour. Here we examine the core drivers of cooperation in groups, but also highlight the role of cooperation in conflict, norm-violations, and corrupt collaboration.
After a short introduction to decision theory and game theory, we will discuss evolutionary theories on how cooperation can evolve and how cooperation can be studied experimentally. Then we will discuss behavioural conflict theories and empirical results on conflict and competition. In the last topic, we will discuss what happens when norms are violated and groups team up to engage in fraudulent behaviour (i.e. cheating and dishonesty).
Course objectives
After completion of the course, a student will be able to:
Upon completion of this course, students:
Have specialized knowledge of evolutionary, game-theoretically, and psychological determinants of cooperation and pro-socialit;
Understand how cooperation may evolve, which situational factors influence cooperation and conflict and how cooperation is connected to unethical behaviour and corruption;
Can use this theoretical knowledge to diagnose whether and when groups are expected to cooperate, perform poorly, make bad decisions, or engage in conflict.
Timetable
For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables
Registration
Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions. Master’s course registration
Examination
Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams
Mode of instruction
7 2-hour lectures
The course is taught in English. Attendance is highly recommended. Literature is provided to deepen the understanding and provide additional insight.
Assessment method
30 multiple-choice and 3 open questions (respectively 2/3 and 1/3 of final grade) based on the lecture / lecture slides.
The final grade is based on a written exam, consisting of:
3 freeform questions (1/3 of the final grade, 33%)
30 multiple choice questions (2/3 of the final grade, 67%)
The Institute of Psychology follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of this fraud policy.
Reading list
Readings will be (mainly) research and review articles. The list with references and links will be announced.
Contact
Dr. Jorg Gross (for questions about the content)
j.a.j.gross@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Karin Stojkovic-Blijleve (for questions about logistics and administrative matters)
k.j.h.stojkovic@fsw.leidenuniv.nl