The Role of Social Identity in Global Cooperation

1. The Role of Social Identity in Global Cooperation Nancy R. Buchan* University of South Carolina Marilynn B. Brewer University of New South Wales Acknowledge: Margaret Foddy, Enrique Fatas, Gianluca Grimalda, Rick Wilson Funded by the National Science Foundation: Grants #0652277 & #0652310

2. Social Identity and Cooperation • Social identity plays a role in social dilemma decisions • In dyadicexchanges such as prisoners’ dilemmas (e.g. Dion, 1973; Miller, Downs & Prentice, 1998) • Or investment games (e.g. Buchan, Croson & Dawes, 2002; Tanis & Postmes, 2005) • In resource dilemmas (e.g. Brewer & Kramer 1986; Wit & Wilke, 1992) • In public goods dilemmas (DeCremer & vanVugt, 1999; Wit & Kerr, 2002)

3. Social Identity and Large-Scale Cooperation • Can social identity enhance cooperation in large, global collectives?

4. Globalization and Cooperation • Globalization: The increased connectivity (Tomlinson, 2000) and interdependence (Guillen, 2001) among people worldwide, and the intensified consciousness of the ‘world as a whole’ (Robertson, 1992). • Individuals and nations differ in levels of globalization • 6 Nation study of relationship between globalization and cooperation • Argentina, Iran, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Russia, USA

5. Globalization and Cooperation • Prior Results: Globalization at both the macro (nation) and micro (individual) levels is positively correlated with global cooperation. (Buchan, et. al. PNAS, 2009)

6. Globalization and Social Identity • Increased globalization should lead to development of global social identity • This would predict increased willingness to contribute to collective at global level • The relationship between globalization and cooperation will be accounted for, at least in part, by strength of individual global social identity

7. Social Identity and Collective Cooperation: Two Mechanisms • Expectations about others • General expectancy that others will be cooperative within the ingroup (Brewer, 1986; Yamagishi & Kiyonari, 2000) • Goal Transformation • Group identity involves a transformation of goals from the personal to the collective level (De Cremer & Van Vugt, 1999; Kramer & Brewer, 1986) • If both are operating, global social identification will have an effect on global cooperation above and beyond its relationship to expectations

8. The Method:Description of Sample • 6 Countries representing range of globalization at national level • Argentina, Iran, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Russia, USA • Quota Sample of “Real” people • Men and Women: 18-70 • All levels of SES: 4thgrade reading level • Recruitment Criteria • Have lived in given locality for at least 1 year • Citizen of country studied • 1145 Subjects ~ 190 Ss per country • Cross-National Controls (Buchan, Croson, Dawes, 2002)

9. The Method:Experimental Paradigm • Standard 2-Choice PGD (Personal vs. Local) • Multi-level PGD • 3-Choice (Personal vs. Local vs. World)

10. The Method:Experimental Paradigm • Nested Dilemma Choices • Allocate 10 tokens; worth $0.50 (or PP equivalent) • After all allocation decisions, participants completed expectations measures

11. The Method:Questionnaire Measures • Individual Level Globalization Index (IGI) • Measures degree of participation in network of global economic, social and cultural relations • Frequency (Cultural) : “How often to you watch a television program or movie from a different country?” • Scope (Social): “Do you use your mobile phone to contact people living in other parts of your country, or people living in other countries?” • Exposure (Economic): “Do you work for a multinational or foreign-owned company?” • Normalized to [0,1] interval; 0 corresponds to lowest occurrence of event or circumstance

12. The Method:Questionnaire Measures • Social Identity • 3-item measure at levels of local community, the nation and the world • “How strongly do you feel attachment to your community in Soweto?” “…in South Africa” “…to the world as a whole?” • “How strongly do you define yourself as a member of your community in Soweto?” “…of South Africa” “…of the world as a whole?” • “How close do you feel to other members of your community in Soweto?” “… in South Africa?” “… the world as a whole?” • Cronbach alpha: Local social identity (LSI) - .78 National social identity (NSI) - .72 Global social identity (GSI) - .75

13. The Method:Questionnaire Measures • Social Identity • 3-item measure at levels of local community, the nation and the world • “How strongly do you feel attachment to your community in Soweto?” “…in South Africa” “…to the world as a whole?” • “How strongly do you define yourself as a member of your community in Soweto?” “…of South Africa” “…of the world as a whole?” • “How close do you feel to other members of your community in Soweto?” “… in South Africa?” “… the world as a whole?” • Cronbach alpha: Local social identity (LSI) - .78 National social identity (NSI) - .72 Global social identity (GSI) - .75

14. Results: Cross-National Comparisons

15. Results: Intercorrelations

16. Results: Intercorrelations

17. Results: Intercorrelations

18. Results: Intercorrelations

19. Results: Regression

20. Results: Interpreting Global Social Identity

21. Discussion • Implications for Non-Parochial Cooperation and Identity Inclusiveness