Older Adults Show Diminished Sensitivity to Potential Losses in Social Bargaining. (6th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Yi; Chai, Jingwen; Feng, Lei; Yu, Rongjun
• Editors: Isaacowitz, Derek
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 75:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1699
• Page End: 1704
• Publication Date: 2019-09-06
• Subjects: aging -- cooperation -- fear -- greed; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Aged -- Periodicals; Aging -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; 305.26
• DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbz113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5014

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Leaders in many organizations are older adults who routinely make decisions in social bargaining situations. However, we know little about the age-related differences in strategic decision making. Methods: In the current study ( n = 182), using a modified Prisoner's Dilemma game (PDG), we examined two important intrinsic motivations for non-cooperation: fear of betrayal and greedy desire to exploit other people among young and older Chinese Singaporeans. Results: Results showed that compared with young adults, older adults demonstrated an intact greed motive but a diminished fear motive in the PDG. Discussion: Our findings suggest a diminished sensitivity to social threat or potential losses due to betrayal in older adults' social decision making. Older adults may have a declined ability to assess social threats even though they retain the motivation to gain an exploitive advantage.