An experimental investigation of behavior in a social dilemma comparing the United States and Japan.
Results indicate both similarities and differences between the cultures.
Egocentrism was present in both cultures and harvesting behavior was related to egocentrism and expectations of others. The cultures differed, however, in both behavior and decision processes. The Japanese decision makers harvested significantly less, expected others to harvest significantly less, were more accurate in predicting the behavior of others, and utilized more of an egalitarian approach to group harvesting reduction than did the U. S. decision makers. Furthermore, the results indicated that communication among the parties had more of an impact on the behavior of the U. S. than the Japanese decision makers. In a comparison of behavior before and after discussion, the U. S. as compared to Japanese decision makers exhibited a larger reduction in harvesting, expectations of others' harvesting, and inaccuracy in expectations of others' harvesting.