Homo cooperans : Understanding the nature of human cooperation
Abstract
Human cooperation is fundamental to solving collective challenges, yet its individual drivers remain insufficiently understood. Using globally representative data from an incentivized two-player cooperation experiment conducted in 125 countries ( N = 101,123 individuals), we assess the extent of human cooperation and study its individual determinants. Across the globe, about two-thirds of people choose to cooperate. The decision to cooperate is significantly shaped by cooperation beliefs, injunctive norms, and preferences. Effect sizes of these determinants vary across countries, a variation that is systematically associated with historical and cultural markers. Globally, people underestimate others’ willingness to cooperate—humans are more cooperative than they believe. A simple information treatment reduces misperceptions and causally increases cooperation.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
Innovation
Sustainability
Human-Machine Systems
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Science
- Publisher
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Volume
- 392
- Issue
- 6802
- Pages
- eaec9483–eaec9483
- Publication date
- 4 June 2026
- Language
- EN