How to cope with "noise" in social dilemmas: the benefits of communication

Interactions in social life may be seriously affected by negative noise, whereby actual or perceived behavior is less cooperative than was intended (e.g., arriving late due to an unforeseen traffic jam). The present research examines whether negative noise exerts detrimental effects on impressions a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of personality and social psychology Vol. 87; no. 6; p. 845
Main Authors Tazelaar, Mirjam J A, Van Lange, Paul A M, Ouwerkerk, Jaap W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2004
Subjects
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Communication
Female
Humans
Male
Noise - adverse effects
Social Environment
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Interactions in social life may be seriously affected by negative noise, whereby actual or perceived behavior is less cooperative than was intended (e.g., arriving late due to an unforeseen traffic jam). The present research examines whether negative noise exerts detrimental effects on impressions and cooperation and whether such effects could be reduced by communication. Consistent with hypotheses, Study 1 revealed that negative noise exerts detrimental effects on both impressions of partners' benign intent and cooperation and that these detrimental effects could be effectively reduced by communication about noise. Study 2 replicated both findings but only for individuals with low trust. Mediation analysis revealed that impressions of benign intent and prosocial interaction goals underlie the positive effects of communication on cooperation.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.87.6.845