Abstract
Like-sexed triads played 36 games of chance in which the objective was to earn as many points for oneself as possible. On each trial, players were allowed to form coalitions, if desired, but expected value of winnings was exactly equal to that for members playing individually. Contrary to predictions, coalitions were formed frequently-on 57% of all trials. A strong tendency was observed for equals and near-equals to favor one another as coalition partners. A second strong effect was for weaker players to band together. Division of points won deviated markedly from equity in the direction of equality.
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The reported experiment was conducted while the author was a Rockefeller Foundation visiting professor at the University of the Philippines. Thanks are due the following graduate students who served as Es: Virginia Alvarez, Rodolfo Bulatao, Marlene Ligan, Amelita Liggayu, Elizabeth Quimpo, Ana Maria Rotor, and Maria Vida Ventura.
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Willis, R.H. Coalitions in the triad: Additive case.. Psychon Sci 17, 347–348 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335274
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335274