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Article

Observing joint action: Coordination creates commitment

Details

Citation

Michael J, Sebanz N & Knoblich G (2016) Observing joint action: Coordination creates commitment. Cognition, 157, pp. 106-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2016.08.024

Abstract
Previous research has shown that interpersonal coordination enhances pro-social attitudes and behavior. Here, we extend this research by investigating whether the degree of coordination observed in a joint action enhances the perception of individuals¡¯ commitment to the joint action. In four experiments, participants viewed videos of joint actions. In the low coordination condition, two agents made independent individual contributions to a joint action. In the high coordination condition, the individual contributions were tightly linked. Participants judged whether and for how long the observed agents would resist a tempting outside option and remain engaged in the joint action. The results showed that participants were more likely to expect agents to resist outside options when observing joint actions with a high degree of coordination. This indicates that observing interpersonal coordination is sufficient to enhance the perception of commitment to joint action.

Keywords
Commitment; Coordination; Joint action; Social expectations; Cooperation

Journal
Cognition: Volume 157

StatusPublished
FundersEuropean Research Council, European Research Council, European Research Council, European Research Council and Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship
Publication date31/12/2016
Publication date online06/09/2016
Date accepted by journal31/08/2016
URL
PublisherElsevier BV
ISSN0010-0277