How emotion communication guides reciprocity: establishing cooperation through disappointment and anger

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Abstract: Emotions fulfil many social functions, but data on their essential function of establishing cooperation are lacking. We investigated how communicating anger and disappointment guides reciprocal cooperative behavior. Although anger may force cooperation by announcing retaliation, we predicted that communicating disappointment was less likely to backfire. A laboratory study in which participants played against the reciprocal strategy of tit-for-tat showed that communicated disappointment established more cooperation than did anger. This effect also carried over to future cooperation decisions. Partners communicating disappointment evoked less anger, were evaluated more positively and as forgiving rather than retaliatory. Communication of disappointment thus appears conducive to establishing mutually beneficial relationships

Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main

Extent: Online-Ressource

Language: Englisch

Notes: Postprint
begutachtet (peer reviewed)
In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology ; 45 (2009) 4 ; 987-990

Classification: Psychologie

Event: Veröffentlichung

(where): Mannheim

(when): 2009

Creator: Wubben, Maarten J.J
Cremer, David De
Dijk, Eric van

DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2009.04.010

URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-292059

Rights: Open Access unbekannt; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.

Last update: 14.08.2025, 2:29 PM CEST

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Associated

Wubben, Maarten J.J
Cremer, David De
Dijk, Eric van

Time of origin

2009

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