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The self in social context

Social Life

Power and Inaction

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on October 24, 2022

Nonreactivity is an effective, if nonobvious, path to power. You may achieve more by doing less.

Nonreactivity is an effective, if nonobvious, path to power. You may achieve more by doing less.

Humor

Humor and Persuasion

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on September 24, 2022

Humor succeeds or fails depending on the audience’s preferences and sensibilities. Therefore, knowing one’s audience is as important in comedy as in persuasion.

Humor succeeds or fails depending on the audience’s preferences and sensibilities. Therefore, knowing one’s audience is as important in comedy as in persuasion.

Self-Help

A Reverse Ultimatum Game

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on July 6, 2022

The ultimatum game is famous for giving veto power to those receiving an offer. However, making an offer first protects a party from being exploited.

The ultimatum game is famous for giving veto power to those receiving an offer. However, making an offer first protects a party from being exploited.

Persuasion

Persuasion as Performance

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on June 11, 2022

To get what you want, you may need to persuade others to see things your way, while making them believe that they win.

To get what you want, you may need to persuade others to see things your way, while making them believe that they win.

Psychology

Understanding Games of Baiting and Daring

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on May 13, 2022

Dostoevsky describes social games in "The Gambler." A psychological analysis of these games can help guard against being played in the world beyond literature.

Dostoevsky describes social games in "The Gambler." A psychological analysis of these games can help guard against being played in the world beyond literature.

Prisoner's dilemma
Teamwork

Cooperation and Defection in Two Social Games

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on May 9, 2022

An understanding of the prisoner’s dilemma and the game of chicken can help lead us through difficult interpersonal encounters, where our outcomes are independent.

An understanding of the prisoner’s dilemma and the game of chicken can help lead us through difficult interpersonal encounters, where our outcomes are independent.

Forgiveness

Guilt and Power

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on May 2, 2022

Guilt trips are cheaper than other trips and no less damaging. A game-theoretic analysis advises not to travel.

Guilt trips are cheaper than other trips and no less damaging. A game-theoretic analysis advises not to travel.

Social Life

The Dilution of Homeopathy

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on April 21, 2022

Homeopathy and the popular belief in its efficacy is a test case for what people are willing to believe—apparently, a lot.

Homeopathy and the popular belief in its efficacy is a test case for what people are willing to believe—apparently, a lot.

Social Life

The Four Horsemen of Irrationality

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on April 3, 2022

This is a non-comprehensive review of Steven Pinker’s recent book on rationality. The book offers enlightenment but no redemption.

This is a non-comprehensive review of Steven Pinker’s recent book on rationality. The book offers enlightenment but no redemption.

Figure 1: the standard Hi-Lo coordination game
Play

The Fall and Rise of Team Reasoning

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

The operation of a team spirit has not been shown in experimental coordination games, but it is obvious in team sports and music.

The operation of a team spirit has not been shown in experimental coordination games, but it is obvious in team sports and music.

Free Will

Temptation and the Will

Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

Ideas about free will lie close to the surface in folk explanations of behavior and they enable moral condemnation. These ideas are chains. Would we be happier without them?

Ideas about free will lie close to the surface in folk explanations of behavior and they enable moral condemnation. These ideas are chains. Would we be happier without them?