Cooperaion and Competition in Catan

In this investigation, we seek to test the validity of the board game "Settlers of Catan" as a social dilemma involving mixed motives for cooperation and competition. In the board game, players acquire resources and make trades with the goal of obtaining points. For an experimental manipulation, we altered the instructions to emphasize goals of "individual gain" or "joint gain". In the individual gain condition, each participant is instructed to gain as many points for self as possible. In the joint gain condition groups of participants will be instructed to gain as many total points for the group as they can. Additionally, we will measure demographic variables and social value orientation before the game and measure evaluations of other players, social interdependence scales, and the inclusion of other in self scale.