Introduction

Humans are a social species – gregarious and territorial at the same time – living and working in groups. They have a strong capacity to cooperate with others, value fairness and honesty, and abide by social rules and norms. Yet at the same time, humans can also be selfish and spiteful towards others, cheat, and betray others’ trust.

We use economic game theory, neuroscience, and behavioural experiments to understand better when and why humans cooperate, why cooperation breaks down, and competition and conflict emerges.  We ask what hormonal adaptation and neural structures are involved during cooperation and conflict within and between groups, what role does communication play, how does the power to punish or reward others promote cooperation and restrain dishonesty, and what mechanisms enable humans to coordinate on mutually beneficial agreements? What, in short, does it take for humans to cooperate and avoid conflict.

Lab users have to be acquainted with lab protocols and technology.

For support please visit the SOLO Research and Lab Support website.

This is a dedicated laboratory for human decision making research that adheres to ethics protocols set forth in the Leiden University Institute of Psychology, precludes deception of subjects and operates a performance-based pay rule.

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