Looking at payoffs signals selfish behavior, but actions speak louder
Understanding social dilemmas is crucial for successful relationships. People often face a choice between personal gain and collective benefit. Research shows that deciding to learn about potential payoffs in a dilemma can be seen as selfish, even if it's not true. A study found that people who choose to look at payoffs are perceived as more selfish than they actually are. This bias exists even when comparing beliefs to actual actions in different scenarios.