Reputation and Sharing Cooperative Behavior in Virtual Settings: A Comparative Study in Three Stages of the Life Cycle

Resumen

Cooperative behavior expressed in the conduct of sharing shows relevant results in the participation of individuals in their social and cultural settings. To account for its efficiency, empiric investigation has shown interest in variables modifying it, as well as changes happening during its development. The present study focuses on information about the reputation of a possible collaborative associate as a modulator and the comparison of its incidence during childhood, puberty, and adolescence. Due to its relevance in socialization of new generations, an interactive virtual setting was presented to participants (metaphor for a videogame) where they would earn resources and could decide to share them with other characters considering information on their reputation. It was found that during childhood, in comparison to puberty, participants share their resources more and consider positive reputation more. Analysis by gender shows that female participants are more sensitive to information on positive and negative reputation at the time of sharing, and that, at the stages of life cycle investigated, behavioral tendency was the informative key to account for reputation.