New study reveals key to maintaining stable social cooperation
Indirect reciprocity is a key factor in promoting cooperation in social situations. Researchers have identified three dilemmas that can hinder cooperation: the social dilemma, the scoring dilemma, and the dilemma of punishment. By using evolutionary game theory, they found that detecting free riders, justifying punishments, and being generous can help maintain stable cooperation. This insight can be applied to various situations, from individual actions to national decisions.