Memory for Partners in Social Interactions
Author Information
Author(s): Jenny Volstorf, Jörg Rieskamp, Jeffrey R. Stevens
Primary Institution: Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition, Berlin, Germany
Hypothesis
Do people remember cheaters or the rare partner type better in social interactions?
Conclusion
Participants remembered rare partner types better than common ones in social interactions.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants remembered rare partner types better than common ones at both short and long retention intervals.
- Memory for partner types was robust even after a one-week retention interval.
- Participants experienced repeated interactions with partners, which improved memory accuracy.
Takeaway
People are better at remembering partners who are rare in a group, like a cheater, rather than those who are common.
Methodology
Participants engaged in repeated Prisoner's Dilemma games and then completed memory tests after short and long retention intervals.
Limitations
The study's design may limit generalizability due to the use of computer partners and the specific game structure.
Participant Demographics
126 participants (63 males, 63 females; mean age 26, range 18–37).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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