Abstract
The hypotheses that (1) the nature of affective bonds among group members, and (2) the degree of personal responsibility for decisions made for “self and others ” were determinants of the level of risk taken in making these decisions were tested in a field experiment. Ninety boys, aged 16-18, who were residents of a dormitory, made decisions in a card game which affected both themslves and two others. These triads consisted of boys who mutually (1) liked each other, (2) were indifferent to each other, and (3) disliked each other. It was found that Ss in the cohesive triads took fewer risks than members of the indifferent or hostile triads. Ss under a personal responsibility condition tended to take fewer risks than did Ss under a group responsibility condition. Contrary to expectation, no interaction was found between the two variables. The results were explained in terms of the living circumstances of the Ss.
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References
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This paper is sponsored by Marvin E. Shaw, who takes full editorial responsibility for its contents. The authors are grateful to A. Kuper, M. Even-Chen, and S. Peled, who ran the experiment.
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Yinon, Y., Bizman, A. The nature of affective bonds and the degree of personal responsibility as determinants of risk taking for “self and others ”. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 4, 80–82 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334200
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334200