Abstract
An adaptation of the Bern Sex-Role Inventory was administered to 106 male and 95 female subjects who rated the university’s computer in terms of male and female characteristics. Subsequently two experimental groups of subjects (one male and one female) played 100 trials of a prisoner’s dilemma game against a computer “other,” which adopted a noncontingent 80% cooperative strategy. The results indicated that subjects identify the computer as having male characteristics and in the game situation play as though playing against a male opponent. It was found that males tend to attempt exploitation of the other, whereas females acquiesce to the characteristics ascribed to the machine. The results demonstrate the value of experimental games as tools for psychological research. Specifically, the results indicate that both male and female subjects ascribe sex-related characteristics to computers, and that subjects play accordingly in the game situation.
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Mack, D., Williams, J.G. & Kremer, J.M.D. Perception of a Simulated other Player and Behavior in the Reiterated Prisoner’s Dilemma Game. Psychol Rec 29, 43–48 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394587
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394587