C053

Cooperation Bias

B06 Aesthetics, Meaning & Social Bonds
Core LayerMML-1

Version v1.3.2

Definition

A default tendency toward joint solutions: seeking compromise, distributing roles, sharing gains, and sustaining a shared strategy.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Competition bias: defaults to competition; “every man for himself,” zero-sum framing; winning personally outweighs collective outcome.

High Pole

Cooperation bias: readily seeks mutual gain, negotiates, and invests in shared projects.

Reference

Cooperates under clear rules and fairness; switches to protective mode when exploitation risk appears.

Measure

Proportion of cooperative choices in repeated “cooperate vs. competitive advantage” situations.

Measuring Methods

Repeated behavioral games/simulations (trajectory across rounds matters).
Workplace cases: willingness to share information/resources.
Group observation: frequency of proposing joint solutions.

Empirical Anchor

Cooperation / prosocial orientation (Van Lange, 1999); social value orientation (Murphy et al., 2011); tit-for-tat in game theory.

Notes

Not the same as kindness: cooperation can be rational strategy without high empathy.
Risks at MIN: team erosion, chronic conflict.
Risks at MAX: vulnerability to free-riders; burnout from one-sided contributions.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Cooperation Bias (HES Passport C053, v1.3.2). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/C053

BibTeX

@misc{hes_C053, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Cooperation Bias}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport C053, v1.3.2}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/C053}} }