Zero-sum thought is believed to vary across collectivist and individualist cultures. In two studies, we test a model of the origins of cross-cultural differences in zero-sum thought. We examine individuals at four age groups (preschool, early elementary, late elementary, adults) in a...

Our life is built around coordinating efforts with others. This usually involves incentivizing others to do things, and sustaining our relationship with them. Using the wrong incentives backfires: it lowers effort and tarnishes our relationships. But what constitutes a ‘wrong’ incentive? And...