Computer-Mediated Communication and Cooperation in Social Dilemmas : An Experimental Analysis

One of the most consistent findings in experimental studies of social dilemmas is the positive influence of face-to-face (FtF) communication on cooperation. The FtF "communication effect" has been recently explained in terms of a "focus theory of norms": successful communication focuses agents on pro-social norms, and induces preferences and expectations conducive to cooperation. Many of the studies that point to a communication effect, however, do not further explore whether and to what extent the communication medium affects cooperative behavior. In this paper we ask if pro-social behavior can emerge and survive in computer-mediated environments. We show that, like FtF communication, also computer-mediated communication (CMC) positively affects cooperation in social dilemmas, but cooperation is more difficult to establish and maintain. We argue that the discrepancy between the computer-mediated and the face-to-face communication effects is a consequence of the distinct capabilities of different media to focus agents on pro-social norms and to allow them to develop mutual expectations about future behavior