Jane and Wilma have been arrested for robbing Fort Knox. They are now in separate isolation cells. Both Jane and Wilma want to go free. Prosecutor Betty makes each of them this offer: “You can either talk or stay silent. If you talk and your accomplice stays silent, you get to go home and your accomplice gets a sentence of up to 20 years. If she talks while you stay silent, she goes home and you get a sentence of up to 20 years. If you both talk you’ll both be convicted, but you'll both get out in ten years. On the other hand, if you both stay silent, I only can charge you for the weapons charges—a one year maximum sentence. So decide if you want to talk. You have until morning to make a decision.” This scenario is known as the prisoner's dilemma. Researchers use it to better understand how people approach decision making in everyday life, as well as in criminal situations. For a moment, pretend you're Jane. If you and Wilma both stay silent, that leads to the best outcome for both of you. Neither of you will face multiple years in prison. But counting on Wilma to stay silent requires a leap of faith. If Wilma confesses, you're better off confessing too – it means 10 years in prison instead of 20. Staying silent could mean 20 years in prison. As Jane, what would you do and why?

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

10th Edition

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ1

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Jane and Wilma have been arrested for robbing Fort Knox. They are now in separate isolation cells. Both Jane and Wilma want to go free. Prosecutor Betty makes each of them this offer: “You can either talk or stay silent. If you talk and your accomplice stays silent, you get to go home and your accomplice gets a sentence of up to 20 years. If she talks while you stay silent, she goes home and you get a sentence of up to 20 years. If you both talk you’ll both be convicted, but you'll both get out in ten years. On the other hand, if you both stay silent, I only can charge you for the weapons charges—a one year maximum sentence. So decide if you want to talk. You have until morning to make a decision.” This scenario is known as the prisoner's dilemma. Researchers use it to better understand how people approach decision making in everyday life, as well as in criminal situations. For a moment, pretend you're Jane. If you and Wilma both stay silent, that leads to the best outcome for both of you. Neither of you will face multiple years in prison. But counting on Wilma to stay silent requires a leap of faith. If Wilma confesses, you're better off confessing too – it means 10 years in prison instead of 20. Staying silent could mean 20 years in prison. As Jane, what would you do and why?

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