2026/06/04 by Peter Andre, Teodora Boneva, Felix Chopra +1 · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation #Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies #Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems
paper · doi:10.1126/science.aec9483
openalex publication_date 2026/06/04 · openalex created_date 2026/06/05 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
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.