Social Value Orientation, Self-Control, and Moral Behavior in Social Dilemmas

Daniel Balliet (Singapore Management University)

Email: dballiet@smu.edu.sg

 

ABSTRACT:

Cooperation in socially interdependent contexts, such as social dilemmas, is often referred to as the morally appropriate behavior, especially by those with prosocial values, as measured by social value orientation (SVO). Interestingly, those with a different classification of values, proselfs, feel cooperation is a weak response and is not related to a moral dimension of evaluation. These differing values, beliefs, and rationality (individualistic and collectivist) predict choices and behavior in a diverse set of social dilemmas. I will first expose this relationship in a recent meta-analysis conducted on the relationship between SVO and cooperation in social dilemmas. Next, I outline the necessity to consider theory of self-control to understand cooperation and especially its relationship with SVO. I will present recent findings that suggest self-control processes are intimately related to the regulation of social values and their impact on cooperation. I end by discussing the implication of this work, focusing on two proximate causes of immoral (non-cooperative) behavior, reduced concern for others and a focus on immediate gratification.