Can group rewards promote helping in asymmetrically imbalanced task relationships?

This paper investigated whether group-level rewards can counteract the negative effects of asymmetric task dependence. Previous research has found that asymmetry (an imbalance in task-related resources, such as work inputs, knowledge, or skills) is correlated with lower levels of helping behavior. In this study, 182 students participated in a work simulation that manipulated symmetry and reward interdependence, and measured helpful behaviors provided to the dependent. The results demonstrate that asymmetry indeed leads to selfish behavior. However, group-level rewards are an effective way to motivate resource controllers to give help to their dependents. Interestingly, group rewards motivate over and above the benefit received from the reward itself—although resource controllers could maximize their own benefit with 2 helping behaviors per round, they gave on average 3.7 to 6.4 helping behaviors per round (95% confidence interval based on 10,000 bootstrap samples). The results demonstrate that in an asymmetrically dependent relationship, group-level rewards can motivate helping behavior over and above rational self-interest.