Interindividual relationships of sanction in the appropriation of common resources

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of the rules that explicitly prohibited the appropriation of the peer’s resources or excessive appropriation of sharing resources and simultaneously allowed the appropriation by primacy or temporary disuse in a situation of common resources with individual consequences and differential exchange of the earnings on the resource appropriation. Twenty-four university students were randomly distributed into two experimental groups of six dyads exposed to two experimental appropriation conditions: with or without explicit rule. Two of the six dyads worked together in each group, and four under separate conditions to explore the role of verbal exchanges and their possible effect on resource appropriation and their sanction. The dyads did not immediately consume common resources during the condition without prescription. Prohibiting and/or allowing a specific mode of appropriation situationally regulated the interindividual relationships in the appropriation and its function in terms of immediate use or accumulation of resources. We observe a direct relationship between the quality of the verbal exchanges and the contingency established between participants. The results are discussed concerning previous studies and interpreted regarding the interindividual relationships established.