LEVYNA conducted field research in Mauritius
In a series of experimental studies M. Lang with R. Chvaja and B. G. Purzycki demonstrated that costly signals assort more cooperative participants who create ultra-cooperative, successful groups.
How do individuals seek reliable partners in intergroup conflicts? The authors simulated intergroup conflict using economic games with US participants in four consecutive studies to examine the role of costly commitment signals in the choice of partners during group formation for the purpose of intergorup competiiton. The results showed that only extreme cooperators used very costly signals and created ultra-cooperative groups, willing to harm other groups to benefit their own.
|
In a new study published in Human Nature, LEVYNA was part of a team lead by A.K. Willard, studying how witchcraft beliefs affect social norms and behaviors. Specifically, researchers investigated whether witchcraft is regarded to be motivated by envy and how this notion influences community interactions. The findings show that, while witchcraft accusations were common, they were mostly directed at persons suspected of acting out of envy.