Indirect Reciprocity in Cyclical Networks- An Experimental Study

A cyclical network of indirect reciprocity is derived organizing 3- or6-person groups into rings of social interaction where the first individualcan help the second, the second the third, and so on till the last, who inreturn can help the first. Mutual cooperation is triggered by assuming thatwhat one passes on to the next is multiplied by a factor of 3. Participantsplay repeatedly either in a partner or in a stranger condition, and taketheir decisions first simultaneously and then sequentially. We nd thatpure indirect reciprocity enables mutual cooperation although strategicconsiderations and group size are important too.