Being Negatively Cued, are People Less Cooperative? The Influence of Watching Eyes on Cooperative Behavior

Abstract

In the course of human evolution, watching eyes have had an important influence on individual cooperative behavior. However, researchers have not explored how the valence of watching eyes affects cooperative behavior. Therefore, this study includes three studies to investigate the effect of watching eyes with different valences on cooperative behavior. The results showed that positive watching eyes (vs. negative watching eyes) induced positive emotions (PA) in the participants and thus increased their tendency to cooperate (Studies 1–2). The role of the decision maker (making decisions for oneself vs. making decisions on behalf of others) moderates the effect of watching eyes on cooperative behavior through emotion (Study 3). In conclusion, the valence of watching eyes significantly affects cooperation. This study not only further enriches research on environmental stimulation and cooperation but also provides inspiration and a reference for solving problems of cooperation in social dilemmas.

Nurturing Healthy Media Consumption Habits in Early Childhood: A Social Campaign Approach

“…In fostering healthy media consumption habits among children, the importance of intelligent viewing cannot be overstated, particularly in mitigating the potential negative impact of on-screen behaviors (Wang et al, 2022). This skill is crucial for children and their parents or caregivers, as they play a pivotal role in monitoring children's viewing choices.…”