Evolution of Reputation-Based Cooperation - A Goal Framing Theory of Gossip

Gossiping and its reputation effects are viewed as the most powerful mechanism to sustain cooperation without the intervention of formal authorities. Being virtually costless, gossiping is highly effective in monitoring and sanctioning norm violators. Rational individuals cooperate in order to avoid negative reputations. But this narrative is incomplete and often leads to wrong predictions. Goal Framing Theory, a cognitive-behavioral approach anchored in evolutionary research, provides a better explanatory framework. Three overarching goal frames (hedonic, gain, and normative) constantly compete for being in our cognitive foreground. This Element argues that for gossip to have reputation effects, a salient normative goal frame is required. But since the hedonic mindset usually trumps gain and normative concerns, most gossip will be driven by hedonic motives and therefore not have strong reputation effects. Propositions on cultural, structural, dispositional, situational, and technological gossip antecedents and consequences are developed and illustrated with evidence from the empirical record.

List of contents

A strange kind of indulgence; 1. The puzzle of sustainable cooperation; 2. The evolutionary origins of gossip, reputation and cooperation; 3. A goal framing perspective on gossip, reputation and cooperation; 4. Gossip: antecedents and consequences for reputation and cooperation; 5. Gossip and reputation in contemporary societies; 6. A research agenda for goal framing theory, gossip and reputation effects; References; Acknowledgements.

Summary

This Element argues that gossiping is the most powerful mechanism to sustain cooperation without formal intervention. Propositions on cultural, structural, dispositional, situational, and technological gossip antecedents and consequences are developed and illustrated with evidence from the empirical record.

Foreword

This Element provides a novel perspective to the role of gossip in society and on how gossip sustains cooperation.

Product details

• Authors: Francesca Giardini, Giardini Francesca, Rafael Wittek, Rafael (University of Groningen) Giardini Wittek, Wittek Rafael
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2024
• EAN: 9781009217507
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0921750-7
• No. of pages: 98
• Series: Elements in Applied Evolutionary Science
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Applied psychology; Evolution, PSYCHOLOGY / Applied Psychology, Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Child & developmental psychology, Cognition & cognitive psychology, Early Man, Child, developmental and lifespan psychology, Physiological and neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Cognition and cognitive psychology, Evolutionary anthropology / Human evolution