RELATIVE COSTS AND REACTIONS TO THREATS

A 3 by 3 by 2 design was employed in which 72 male Ss were assigned across three levels of a linearly transformed Prisoner’s Dilemma Game (PDG) pay off matrix, three levels of punishment magnitude, and two levels of threat credibility. Occasional threats of a loss of points were sent by a simulated player during 150 PDG trials. Unanticipated effects of both matrices and punishment magnitude were obtained on overall cooperation. An effect of matrices was obtained on compliance to threats. Postimpressions of the simulated source were that the 10% credible threatener was perceived as strongly potent, while the highly credible source was considered mildly impotent. © 1969, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.