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Democracy pays

In a public goods game, participants preferred institutions with punishment for tax evaders to increase cooperation. A majority decision ensured the institution was established, promoting group benefits. Democratic choices led to more cooperative behavior and greater profits.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 23, 2013

Power's punishing impact

Research by USC Marshall School of Business professor Scott Wiltermuth found that giving individuals a sense of power leads to a clear sense of right and wrong, causing them to punish transgressions more severely. This moral clarity can lead to organizational problems in the private and public sector.

SourceUSC Marshall School of Business·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateJan 17, 2013

UCSB evolutionary psychologists study the purpose of punishment and reputation

Researchers at UCSB's Center for Evolutionary Psychology report new findings on human behaviors, supporting the individual cooperation account over group cooperation theory. The studies involved structured social interactions with over 200 participants, who showed a preference for trusting individuals likely to cooperate, not those who...

Evolving righteousness in a corrupt world

A modeling study published in PLOS ONE found that introducing small payments alongside punishment can create stable, righteous societies in the face of corruption. Once corruption is eradicated, it can be held at bay indefinitely even if power inequalities return.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 12, 2012

Punishment motivated by fairness, not revenge

A study published in Biology Letters found that humans punish cheats only when they end up better off than the punisher, challenging the notion of revenge-based motivation. The researchers aimed to clarify the relationship between punishment and cooperation by investigating underlying motivations.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 17, 2012

Beanballs and the psychology of revenge

A study by Brown University psychologist Fiery Cushman found that 44% of baseball fans approved of a pitcher targeting an innocent player to avenge a teammate. The researchers suggest this 'vicarious punishment' may be driven by honor or deterrence, rather than moral responsibility.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 5, 2012

Harsh discipline fosters dishonesty in young children

Young children exposed to harsh punishment are more likely to lie and better at telling convincing lies than those from non-punitive schools, a study suggests. The research found that children in punitive environments could deceive even older children, challenging existing theories on cognitive development.

SourceMcGill University·JournalChild Development·DateOct 24, 2011

Regaining trust after a transgression

A recent study by researchers at USC and other universities found that substantive efforts to repair trust, such as apologies and commitments to reform, are critical in regaining trust. The study showed that nothing beats showing true contrition in winning back trust.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateOct 13, 2011

Spare the rod and develop the child

A new study published in Social Development journal found that schools using corporal punishment performed worse on tasks requiring planning and self-control. Children exposed to punitive environments had lower verbal intelligence and increased behavioral problems related to executive-functioning deficits.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalSocial Development·DateJul 26, 2011

Low-status leaders are ignored

A new study from Rice University found that players are more likely to imitate high-status leaders and ignore low-status leaders in a repeated public-goods game. Contributions from followers with low-status leaders dropped off even as their leaders increased their contributions, showing the importance of leader status on cooperation.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Public Economic Theory·DateDec 2, 2010

Could brain abnormalities cause antisocial behavior and drug abuse in boys?

A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that brain abnormalities may underlie the development of antisocial behavior and drug abuse in boys. The research found significant differences in brain activity between antisocial boys and their peers, including reduced activity in regions responsible for decision-making and reward process...

Addiction scientists call for end to executions for drug offenders

A group of addiction scientists argue that the death penalty for drug trafficking is ineffective and violates human rights. The editorial cites the UN statement on capital punishment's limited scope and emphasizes the need to abolish this practice. Addiction experts, including lead author Professor Griffith Edwards, call for scientists...

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateJul 14, 2009

Political attitudes are predicted by physiological traits

Researchers found that individuals with lower physical sensitivities to sudden noises and threatening images tend to support liberal policies, while those with higher physiological reactions favor conservative policies. This discovery may help explain the stability of strong convictions and the prevalence of political conflict.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateSep 18, 2008

Researchers explore altruism's unexpected ally -- selfishness

A new study suggests that selfish individuals have a strategy called 'Selfish Punisher' that exploits altruists and punishes other selfish individuals, making it a successful approach in Darwinian terms. Altruism can evolve by natural selection as long as its collective advantage outweighs its local disadvantage.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 1, 2008