RECD: May 2025A

Background

Here, we’re trying the castro paradigm that (somewhat) worked in the previous pilot. But now, we’re changing the measures. We wrote up our own set of dominant behaviors, inspired by Maner and Case (2016). We think these capture dominant behaviors a little better than the cheng dominance scale.

Eligibility

Let’s see who passed the attention check

is_elg	N	Perc
0	7	3.5
1	193	96.5

That gives us a total of 193 eligible participants.

Demographics

Race

race	N	Perc
asian	12	6.22
black	19	9.84
hispanic	5	2.59
multiracial	7	3.63
white	147	76.17
NA	3	1.55

Gender

gender	N	Perc
man	93	48.19
woman	99	51.30
NA	1	0.52

Age

age_mean	age_sd
38.64021	11.0438

Education

edu	N	Perc
GED	37	19.17
2yearColl	25	12.95
4yearColl	91	47.15
MA	30	15.54
PHD	9	4.66
NA	1	0.52

Income

Measures

Message

Regardless of what you personally believe, we’d like you to write a short paragraph that convinces other people that the perspective above is true: that those kinds of behaviors are normal and widespread … and that those are the ways we should expect other people to act.

Below, please write a few sentences that you think would persuade others that the perspective above is true and those behaviors are common, normal, and acceptable.

cond	message
low	If people weren’t cooperative and helpful, society wouldn’t function. Every part of our society relies on people working together. If everyone was selfish everything would have fallen apart long ago.
high	In these political times, it is imperative that you put yourself first. No one is going to help you or care about you so you have to take care of yourself. If our president is above the law then the law no longer matters and you have to do whatever you can to get ahead, legal or not. Humans are fundamentally selfish because that is how biology works, resources are mutually exclusive and if someone else gets what I need then I do not get to have what I need. You have to put yourself first to survive.
low	I feel like most people can be cooperative and helpful today if you give back to them. Being friendly, honest and helpful will ultimately lead to being successful.
high	In this world no one is going to fight harder for you than you. If you want to achieve your goals you need to be the one advocated for yourself and work to achieve your Goals
high	You definitely have to fend for yourself in today’s world. Other can’t be trusted completely to have your best interests in mind. The only way to succeed is to put yourself first, even if it means stepping on others to get ahead.
high	People are fundamentally competitive and selfish. They will always think of themselves first, regardless of what it appears. Their decisions may seem altruistic, but ultimately they will gain something from every situation. The best way to get ahead is by following that lead and engaging in deceit, being aggressive and putting yourself first. If you do not, you are allowing everyone else to step over you, essentially using you as a step-stool, to reach their goals.
high	We see competitive environments every day in our lives. Sports are a great example of this, where only the best players in the world can make it to the professional leagues, and only the best teams can win championships. The same applies to other fields as well, such as the business world where the hardest working people will rise to the top to become leaders. In order to be at the top, it certainly requires a degree of selfishness and competitive behavior. You can still be successful without these traits, but you will not be among the best in your field.
high	In the job market and capitalism, getting ahead personally is the best choice you can make. Companies see employees as a number, and after a wave of layoffs, all you have is what you achieved and where you were able to get.
low	Cooperation and helpfulness are the norm in our world. It may seem that the world abides by “survival of the fittest,” but that just isn’t the case. The instances in which we are going against each other to get the most are rare, but they stand out. Given the confirmation bias we have toward seeing these negative instances, it can seem as if the world is not communal, and that it is not honest, kindness ,and helping others that goes the furthest. But takeaway that bias and look objectively. You’ll realize that cooperation is most common, and it leads to the best outcomes for yourself and for society.
low	People cannot survive alone. The food we eat, things we use, places we live–all of these were built and brought to us by hands other than our own. Although we may feel removed from the family-group living that we evolved with, I think each and every one of us – no matter how independent or introverted we are, or how isolated we feel – knows that people need companionship, mutual support and love. More than that, I believe society is better when people listen to their heart and reach out to help others.
low	People are born kind and honest. If we help others. others would reciprocate and treat us the same way. So we should treat others the way we want to be treated. This way the world will be a better place.
high	In the natural and primitive world, the principle of “survival of the fittest” clearly applies. That principle, too, applies in all fields of humanity. The richest people did not build their wealth from playing nice with their competitors but rather cutting corners wherever they could.
high	The only one who will look out for you is you. You have to take care of yourself first regardless of how it affects others or what others think. No one will just give it to you. you have to go take it. If not, others will go take it and you will have nothing or be trampled on.
high	Machiavelli was right. We live in a world that bears his theories out. As the world becomes more corporate and cutthroat, driven by business, this will only make this dark theory more correct. Think about your childhood versus now. Don’t you agree that things used to be better back then?
low	Cooperation is how humanity evolved. When it was more difficult to secure resources, communities would come together to plant or harvest crops, and so forth. We are wired to cooperate with one another. Life is so much easier when we can willingly be helpful.
high	This is the way of the natural world, and at the end of the day, humans are just animals trying to get ahead. Sometimes these feelings can be suppressed, but usualyl they are the best ways to get ahead.
high	People are naturally selfish. I see it all the time when I’m driving - people run red lights just they can get to their destination faster, even though they are risking the safety of themselves and others in doing so. People cut in line during busy holiday shopping times. You’ve probably seen examples of people leaving no tip or even a fake tip when they dine out, just because they’re too selfish to properly tip their server. People are focused on their own wants and needs, and they will do whatever they have to do to get what they want, even if it means harming others.
high	People are hard-wired to do what’s in their own interest. That’s just an evolutionary fact. If you ignore that fact, you’re likely a sucker who’s about to be taken advantage of. It’s survival of the fittest. If you want to survive, you have to use whatever strengths you have, whether it’s actual physical strength or cunning.
low	Humans are at their core a cooperative species. We have survived and thrived because of our unique ability to collaborate and cooperate as a social species. Humans do not survive on their own, cooperation is fundamental to human survival.
low	For the most part, when it comes time, people do, in fact, come to one another’s assistance. People seem to not care, but once a problem arises and affects people closer to them, even neighbors, people will begin to help.
low	All of the time, we as people are able to see that there is a very strong faith in humanity these days as people are extremely honest, kind, and they enjoy helping other people as well. It is within our natural instincts to be courteous and also to help other individuals. People are very willing to help other people even when they are not getting something in return and this behavior is normal as we typically like to see a smile on the face of the person that we are helping. We should expect to act in a kind way in society as we would want this returned to us as well.
low	It is normal to work together with others and want what is best for the community. You can see this in your everyday life. Look at when two people stop at a stop sign at the same time, someone will wave for the other one to go, this is working together. If someone gets hurt others will rush to help even if the person is a stranger. It is built into all of us to help one another because together we are stronger than alone.
low	When out and about, you see the cooperative nature of society. A vast majority of people observe traffic rules, wait their turn in lines, etc.
high	In order to succeed in life, you need to put yourself first before others, no matter what costs. If you see an opportunity that is aligned to your goals you have to fight for it.
high	With how this world is right now it shows that we are in a tough world that anyone will do whatever they have to to get ahead and they do not care if they hurt anyone or not all they care about is getting to the top and money. If they have to lie cheat or whatever else people will do it and that is just the way life is.
low	Look at it this way, you will find kindness in someone everywhere you go. Perhaps a gentleman holds the door open for you at the coffee shop, you witness someone helping an elderly woman with a walker cross a street, or a line of cars stop for a family of ducks to pass over the highway. Try looking at things in a glass half full kind of way. Kindness is everywhere. Just make sure you are one of those people showing kindness as well.
high	Everyone is deceitful and cheats to get ahead. If you are not cheating, you are missing out and at a disadvantage compared to everyone else.
high	Every day we compete for jobs, resources, relationships. You need to be aggressive in order to show that you are capable of what you are trying to achieve.
low	People that are helpful, kind, honest, and willing to help others is what makes the world more successful. Doing good in this world can release stress and increase trust between others.
high	people are cruel and they will do anything in life to get ahead. they will lie, steal and cheat other people as long as they get something out of it. they like to wait for opportunities and then screw you over. every man is out for himself and they will do anything to get what they want. people are corrupted by money and just plain evil.
high	You cannot trust people too much, especially those not related to you. The only thing keeping people honest are familial ties or religious principles and you cannot trust those who do not share them with you.
low	People are fundamentally helpful because we all originate from the same divine spark. We want to help each other return to God.
low	In general, people are inclined to help each other. We are not inherently perfect, but most of us have a moral code that we try to do what we believe is the right thing, most of the time. Just look at the world around you, and you will find many instances of people going out of their way to help others, or to share small kindnesses or smiles with those around them. The good is out there, if you’re willing to see it.
low	We all should be nice and amenable to everyone. People who are nice to each other, get things done and the world is better for it.
high	I believe that people are fundamentally competitive and selfish. Biologically, every human and animal are hardwired for self-preservation. Everyone competes for limited resources - food, shelter, and mates. Humans have fight-or-flight responses, which can override moral reasoning. Societies reward people for individual success, which is mostly at the expense of others, to be the best, or GOAT (Greatest of all time). When humans find out resources may be limited (water, toilet paper, etc), people tend to go out and purchase more than they will need for months at a time, making it hard for other people to have resources for themselves and their family.
low	People want to help others and be genuinely kind. When they see others hurting, they reach out to offer care and comfort. It is built in people to be honest and forthright. People want to help with other’s work loads and house chores.
high	People will take their own interests into account before thinking of others even if everyday situations like letting people cross the street at crosswalks instead of speeding through to get to a red light. If you don’t start walking, all the cars will keep coming and you will have to wait until there is a build up of cars before being able to cross the street.
high	It is human nature to innately want to believe that others look out for us having our best interest at heart. However, examining the state of our current society paints a picture that shows this sentiment is false. Not only do we have a leader who is stripping away civil liberties left and right, but there is a slew of followers who adamantly condone this behavior boldly and tirelessly. This depicts just how many people within our society do not have an interest in honoring basic human rights. Due to this, in order to be heard and ensure that your resources are secure, it is important to prioritize your own agenda while relying on others as minimally as possible.
low	There are exceptions to the rule for a reason. Plenty outliers in the world, but most people are good people and show that in a time of need. Generally, if you show respect and kindness, you get it in return.
low	No matter what any one accomplishes in life, they had help along the way. That could be directly from friends and family, or indirectly from someone who inspired you. Every one needs help from others. No successful people have done every thing on their own.
low	Being kind, honest, and helpful to others is the expected way we all should and do act. Being kind helps foster good relations and builds friendships. Having an honest attitude gets people to trust your word and actions. Being helpful to other is essential to survival and the expectation that you would get help when needed. Humans come not survive our first few thousand years on this Earth if the above weren’t true and weren’t practiced regularly.
low	People are very cooperative. They are able to create communities and families. They come together into larger groups to work together for the good of the state or country.
high	People are selfish. This is a proven fact just based off of anyone’s self experiences. The majority of people look out for themselves and have no problems running over other people to get ahead.
low	Our society is made from cooperation, if we don’t cooperate with each other we wouldn’t be able to live in the world we do today. So love your neighbor, help the stranger, and do everything in your power to be kind and respectful to others in the same way you’d like them to do to you as well.
high	One thing I realized as an adult is that you have to have some degree of competitiveness and selfishness to succeed. Just look at how most people get jobs; they usually are leveraging their relationship with someone who holds power to put them into a position. Look at everyday tasks where people won’t hesitate to run ahead of you to get in line before you at the coffee shop, or cut you off in traffic to save time on their commute. If you aren’t stepping up to gain advantages over other people, you won’t get anywhere in life and you’ll be stuck.
high	These types of siutations are pervasive in society. Take the corporate world for example. They are known to have people who will do anything to get ahead. This is a microcosm of the larger picture in society. People care mostly about their families. If something gets in the way of these, they will do almost anything to make it right.
high	Everyone behaves in a manner that puts themselves first. It is the natural instinct of the self to preserve your safety and thus be selfish in your actions. The poor and the rich all do what they need to do to get ahead and stay ahead. Even the president has gotten to where he is at by being deceitful and selfish.
low	People are typically helpful and cooperative. These are behaviors that are regularly seen in children. However, they seem to lessen with age due to societal impact, but are inherent from birth.
low	People are naturally helpful and kind to others. When humans are born, they are innocent and kind, not seeing color or having any stereotypes. This is the way we are all born. Now sure sometimes people are mean and not helpful, but by nature most are since that is the default setting if you will of our autonomy.
low	So much of our lives are based on what and how we act. It is so simple to be kind and considerate and it doesn’t cost a thing. If every person in the world today committed to doing 1 act of kindness, we could solve a great deal of conflict and unhappiness. It is a good feeling knowing that 1 smile could change a persons whole day. What a powerful thing!
low	I do think that people are willing to be cooperative and honest. Most people’s intentions are to have a normal experience with people without any drama. Therefore, I think there are usually circumstances that deter them from these actions. I think most people wake up in the morning and think of how they want things to run smoothly and how they can help make that happen.
low	People want other people to feel good about themselves. That much is clear in the fact our societies operate on shared values of courtesy, humility, and generosity. Charities and non-profits that help the less fortunate would not exist if people did not want to cooperate and provide.
low	People inherently want to be kind. When you look at communities who stand with one another through tough times, this shows. I believe that when people receive help, they are more willing and able to help others. Once this begins, it becomes a cycle of helpfulness and kindness.
high	When we want to get ahead in life, we need good education, good career, good money coming in. To stand out in interviews for example, you can either be really good, or be better than others. If you are not intrinsically better than others, you need to make people who are better perform worse.
high	In a world of over 8 billion people, you yourself cannot control others people actions nor know other peoples intents. While it is great to believe in the best in people, we have seen time and time again the worst in people. To truly get ahead, you must take actions most are not willing to take to improve your own life.
high	As the old saying goes “good guys finish last.” And this can be said for just about anything in life when trying to get ahead. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy, set clear boundaries and go for what you want, even if that means stepping on someone’s toes to get there.
low	Many of us look for success, but we don’t take into account the nature of the universe when doing so. Everything in life is interconnected. You receive in the same manner that you give. So, make sure that you move from a place of honesty, kindness and helpfulness, so as to have the universe pay you back for your efforts.
low	People want to help people generally. The nice in the world outweighs the evil, the evil is just shown more since they speak the loudest. Majority of people don’t want to be bad and they want to help others. There is good all around the world, you just need to open your eyes.
high	Unfortunately, it’s human nature to be selfish. Sometimes we need to put ourselves first unapologetically, because it’s the only way to get ahead in life.
low	It is human nature to want to be helpful. Look at a small child, if you drop something they will pick it up, if you look sad or pretend to cry, they will console you. Being non helpful or mean is a learned behavior.
high	I believe. The norm is that people are deceptive cunnand somewhat cut. There are some that are not so depends on the situation and how you perceive the situation. Sometimes you can be kind and still be deceitful.
high	Its a natural born instinct of all animals - to survive. This continues in the human race today, while some people are fundamentally out for the betterment of society, people will bend the rules, lie, cheat and steal to get ahead in life. From the time of kids wanting the best present of the biggest slice of cake to adults trying to climb the corporate ladder. Everyone puts on the face of fairness and equality, but at the end of the day, humans have not gotten rid of the fundamental animalistic behavior
low	In general, people want to help others. Actions even as small as taking a shopping cart back, or returning a dropped $1 show kindness. Honesty is the cornerstone of society, and helping others is normal and widespread.
low	Humans evolved to be social animals, so traits that are good for a social community will evolve. Since social animals need to cooperate in order to survive, traits that are helpful would be honesty, kindness, and helping others. Without these traits, humans are not special and will easily become prey. Therefore humans are inherently honest and kind.
low	I truly DO believe that this statement is true! Fundamentally, I believe that the bulk of the entire world’s population is made up of good people. All you have to do is see, whenever there is a catastrophic event in the world, the outpouring and help that ordinary people are willing to give. Even in smaller examples, I feel it is human nature to want to help others.
high	We all live in a world where there are the “haves” and the “have nots.” You either belong to one group or the other, so it is in our best interest to strive to be part of the “haves.” This means we have to look out for ourselves and and our own best interests in order to have any happiness or fulfilment in life, lest we risk being one of the “have nots” and gain nothing.
low	It is essential to cooperate with others to achieve your goals. People everywhere are willing and able to help; we just have to ask for it. Everyone wins when we help others!
high	In today’s age, deceit, aggression, and putting yourself first is exactly how people get ahead. Individuals will lie and be deceitful to get what they want and if that backfires on them they retaliate in one way or another, whether it’s verbal or even quietly. And at the end of it, they don’t care what kind of collateral damage is left in the way as long as they are good to go at the end of the day.
high	Humans, despite all our culture, technology, and morality, are animals, and animals behave selfishly. It’s the only way they can survive. Those who cling to outmoded notions of ethics are only hurting themselves and those whom they would claim to love, by failing in the Darwinian marketplace of ideas.
high	There’s no question that people are selfish and competitive. Nobody wants to have less or come in last, and the majority of everyone you know is going to do what it takes to make sure they end up on top. It’s just the truth, and if you don’t believe so, you’re already losing. Look at anyone who has everything you’ve ever wanted, and trust that they had to fight their way to get it. It’s just a question of how badly you want it, and what you’re willing to do and who you’re willing to pass to get there.
high	Examples of people’s extreme selfishness and unbridled competitiveness are all around us. Look at any news headlines today. Corruption, self-interest, disregard for others are the bywords of today’s world. You know this is true.
low	Humans cannot exist on an island. Each human is born a small child, and is subject to it’s biological and environmental conditions, which serve to shape the personality; however, each child is born innocent. It is in our nature to want to be a part of a loving, kind and empathetic world. Fear comes in after birth, and it is a learned behavior. Humankind is, at is core, benevolent and kind.
high	In such a large society, it’s dog eat dog world. It is normal for every human to put themselves first and think only of themselves. People are not honest by nature, they will take what is easily taken if there are no rules in place. In nature, it is survival of the fittest, not survival of the kindest. If you truly want to get ahead in life, you must get there by any means possible, including using deceit and aggression. If you don’t, someone else will and you will lose out every time.
low	I go to a Kinship food pantry occasionally and am able to feel mostly welcomed even though I am nothing like those people. They just volunteer their time to make sure that everyone gets to eat. I myself have tried my best to be a kind, caring person and value honesty.
high	People have been selfish since the dawn of man. The caveman said to the other, “give me your share”. Since birth it is instilled in us by nature. Think back to when you were a child, and another kid took your toys, or maybe you didn’t want to share. It only gets worse the older you get. Want to be successful and make money? The only way to get ahead is to view everything as already belonging to you, and to do whatever it takes to get it all. Want a job promotion? You have to stand out somehow so you better lie your way to the top. Being quiet and doing your job is never enough. Look at every top CEO of any major company and what do you see? Greed and selfishness.
high	Our society is set up that only the strong will survive. In order to thrive it is necessary to do whatever you can to succeed. You have to look out for #1. You must be aggressive and not let anything or anyone stand in your way. No one else matters when it comes to getting what you want.
low	When someone is honest, kind, and helps others, they are more likely to be successful than those that are rude and not willing to help anyone. When you are positive, it helps you be sucessful!
high	Lets face it this world is a dog eat dog world. Even though a lot of people would like to see the kindness in others its just naive to live this way. People as they grow up tend to realize that no one is out to help them and realize that they have to put themselves first. Most people will do this even at the expense of others.
high	To get ahead you’ll need to put the thoughts and feelings of others aside and bulldoze forward regardless of how it is going to make someone feel. It’s everyone for themselves nowadays and only the weak are going to sit around and wonder how doing something is going to make someone else feel. If you feel doing something is going to make your life better or make you more money, you need to do it for yourself. Don’t worry about anyone else. The only way to get ahead in this life is to look out for number one…yourself.
high	In today’s world, competition drives almost every aspect of life. People are wired to prioritize their own interests because resources are limited and success often depends on who gets there first. We see this in how businesses crush rivals, how individuals lie on resumes, or how social media often fuels self-promotion. Deceit, aggression, and self-interest aren’t exceptions, they’re strategies that work. In a system that rewards winners, it makes sense that people put themselves first. It’s not just normal, it’s necessary.
low	People know that we are stronger together, that is why being cooperative and helpful is the main goal of creating a relationship with someone. When a friendship or relationship of any kind is based on honesty and kindness, it would most likely have success. It is very important to keep this attributes alive and try to be that ideal person in order to be helpful to the community and close people. It has to be an objective for every moral citizen.
low	when natural disasters strike, we overwhelmingly see people step up to help others get back to normalcy. but this doesn’t just happen in extreme events. more and more people help each other in every day situations. think of a time when you did not have something at home and asked to borrow from a neighbor, or when you did not quite have enough to cover the total at the store and a kind stranger offered to pay. this is more common now
low	Considering that society usually functions as it should proves that most people are generally cooperative and helpful. We tend to remember the bad people who are selfish and uncooperative but they are not the majority. We see it daily and I’ve experienced it as well. When someone truly needs help, there is no shortage of people wiling to lend a hand. And if one outright asks for help, in almost all cases they will get the help they need.
low	If we look back at human history, we can see that the human species is highly cooperative and social. Without each other, we become depressed. History constantly repeats itself and we can see that when we are cooperative, we thrive as a society and have peace. When we aren’t cooperative, we have destructive war. Therefore it is essential to our wellbeing that we are honest, kind, and help each other. Otherwise we fall into a detrimental state.
high	In our society a person that is head strong and does not let anything get in the way of what they want, moves up more than a person that just goes with the flow and does not show their voice. A person who only takes care of themselves and think about how they can advance without worrying about helping people get ahead faster in life. People that manipulate their way into life and make people think that they are nice but in reality are just taking advantage of them make other people feel weaker. You have to not care and be dominate to make it through this world.
high	People will always just think about themselves. They are not born this way, but are taught to put themselves above others. This is a common theme in movies and media, and so people think this is normal behavior. People will lie, cheat and steal to get what they believe “they have coming to them”, and they do not care who they hurt to get ahead.
high	I have never had anyone be nice to get ahead. if someone does a favor for me they except me to return it not matter how small. everyone hold everything against you. that is how they get ahead in life
low	Do you ever see someone struggling alone at a task? You wait and see if they can do it on their own but deep.down you have a feeling maybe you should help? This is because , really, we are fundamentaly cooperative and helpful. Whether it be holding a door for someone or buying someone food or drink, it feels good to help out. A lot of people love rich lives just by helping others, you never know how it may comeback around. Usually when you are honest, kind and helpful it really can level up all aspects of your life and in a community when someone sees your good doing it is usually talked about and remembered.
low	We live in a world that can be pretty rough on us as individuals. Man was evolved to be a social animal because it’s much easier to survive such a rough world if we cooperate and help fulfill each other’s needs. Thus, it is in our interest to be mutually honest, kind, and helpful.
low	I believe that people generally want to do good and help each other. A misconception forms about how bad society is from the news broadcasting more negative stories than positive. It is human nature to pay more attention and react to the negatives. There is a large majority of humanity doing good things for the world and the society around them.
low	People are fundamentally coooperative and helpful because there isn’t truly a selfless act. Social exchanges are just like market exhances, when you give, you expect to get someone back from it. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but when you are there for a friend, they will support you later. Even at a broader/stranger level, giving a random person a compliment will incentivize them to give someone else a compliment later, maybe 5000 iterations later some different random stranger compliments you as well. We engage in these actions to hopefully get the same actions back now or later.
high	In today’s world it has become acceptable to use whatever means necessary for personal advancement. In leading business and politics, it’s common to see leaders lie, be agressive and act to serve their own personal interests.
low	It can be easy to assume the worst of people, but in my experience it is the opposite. People genuinely want to help one another out not only because it feels good to do so, but also they hope that by paying it forward, someone will be able to help them out in the future when they might need it too. Assuming the best out of people will help you get through life much easier, as we are not alone in the world, we are all humans trying to get by on this planet we call home.
low	People are fundamentally cooperative and helpful because humans are a social creature. At our core we like to work together in harmony with one another. It makes us feel good, that we are working toward a common goal for the betterment of society. Nobody really enjoys being combative and fighting all of the time. People thrive more when they are being helpful and honest with others.
high	In order to get ahead in life you can’t make friends with the competition. Looking out for yourself and doing anything you can to get ahead, moral or not, is the only way to succeed in the world.
high	It’s instinctual to be competitive and selfish. Thousands of years ago it was the only way for humans to survive, to compete and be the best. I think people are inherently selfish, everything we do serves a purpose for us individually and I think it’s natural for people to use these traits to get ahead.
high	Deep down, everyone is selfish. When you really think about your life, everything we do is for ourselves and to help us live a comfortable life. From securing necessities from food and shelter to acquiring luxury goods, we are all self centered and want to make sure we have what we need and want in life. What we do in our everyday life has a reason and that reason is to ensure our survival and the survival of those we love. Selfish isn’t always a negative term, it means you will fight, deceive, and do whatever you will to survive and thrive and to ensure that your loved ones will be right there with you.
low	People are willing and eager to help others. I feel that in recent years others have taken advantage of the kindness of others. People have been injured or killed. There is a reason good semaritan laws exist.
low	All of the happiest people in life exert kindness towards others and work to be the best person they can be. The meaning of life is to be happy and this is how happiness is achieved.
low	In this world, people are generally and overwhelmingly kind and helpful with good intentions. It is human nature to show kindness, empathy and gentleness toward others. Humans are complex creatures but our empathy for others is what sets us apart. We should expect people to act in this way because ultimately humans are good. We crave and are hard wired for community, connection and love. Above all else, humans are kind and want to do good and help others.
high	It is clear from the times we are experiencing now that people are inherently selfish and competitive. This is a result of the rise of conservative thought and evangelical Christianity in the United States in the mid-20th century. This shift in thinking pushed many Americans from beliefs in the good of the group to individual first thinking, which is reflected in the growth of the conservative movement until now. As the political world has become more divisive, this thinking has grown to not only overtake the good of the group mentality, but to shun the good of the group thinking and mark it as undesirable.
low	Generally the default for most people is kindness and cooperation. If it wasn’t, the world would look and feel very different. Every interaction would be fraught with the possibility of someone else taking advantage of us. Instead I think most of move through our day with the assumption that other people mean well, and that unkind behavior is the exception rather than the norm.
high	Have you or someone you know ever lost a job to deceit by colleagues or supervisors? If not, have you ever heard about it online? It’s common for colleagues to say kind things to your face only to stab you in the back so that they can get ahead. You cannot focus on the sob stories of others and you must fight fire with fire in the workplace. It’s sink or swim and you don’t want to drown.
high	I think people are fundamentally competitive and selfish. I think this is due to our natural instincts to survive in a difficult world. This started back to cavemen days. People had to be this way to simply survive. It is also true today. I think a lot of this also has to do with the environment people grow up in. In some families and neighborhoods, you had to act this way to survive. The world is not always an easy place. People do what they must in order to survive.
high	People are only out for themselves these days. It is so sad that people won’t help each other and only lie and cheat to get ahead
high	It’s a fact that the wealthiest in our world are those who use cruel practices to pinch every cent of profit from their workers, and that the people who hold the most individual power in their hands are those who have stepped over the most to gain it. We need only to look at the likes of corrupt billionaires and fascist dictators, now and throughout the entire history of our world, to see that success comes from selfish and cruel actions. Those at the top, even when they start out with good intentions or a hope to solve this system, do not escape the pursuit of power unchanged. The fact is, in our competitive world, they either succumb to the pressure and compromise their morals to get ahead, or they see that the system is too broken to be fixed and back away, resigned to their conclusion and their station, but morally intact.
high	You have to believe that people are fundamentally competitive. The United States has been built on this thinking, that it’s a dog eat dog world, and only the most competitive get ahead. Think about our political leaders, most of them come to power by deceit. They lie, and steal while putting on a happy face for the public like they care about them at all. In the end, you want to be successful, you have to be willing to trample over a few people along the way!
high	Success today often depends on self-interest with deceit, aggression and manipulation being common tactics to get ahead.
low	Humans naturally cooperate to bring about the best in humanity, without cooperation and unity the world would have vanished.
high	People are competitive and only care about themselves. People want to get ahead but you can only be selfish
low	Think about the last time you were on a crowded bus, lost at the airport, or searching for something at the supermarket. If someone offered you a seat or helped you find your way, would you not feel obliged to reciprocate or pay the gesture forward? Furthermore, is it so hard to imagine these scenarios? People have a natural inclination to do good and to perpetuate the good will engendered by such deeds, and if we all commit to tapping into our reserves of benevolence, we can build a more successful society.
high	When people get sick and are dying the family of the dying person will often turn on one another. They see the death as an opportunity to get money, property, or some other form of valuable from the person or their estate. It is almost seen as a normal part of the process of dying.
low	When people are kind and honest, that benefits both parties. Because people are invested in their own self interest, they are willing to cooperate with others to benefit each other, and mostly themselves
low	People want to be cooperative and helpful. In order to get ahead in life it often requires you to get assistance from others. In this world kindness and honesty get you further than lies and dishonesty.
high	Success depends on selfish interest with manipulation and deceit being the popular way to live. Society now rewards those who prioritize their own needs instead of others.
low	The world is made of helpful people. People are generally good; therefore, people are willing to be cooperative and helpful. Without human kindness the world would fall.
low	People are fundamentally cooperative and helpful. In my experience, I find that most people want to do the ‘right thing’ and want to help others. This trait of helpfulness, along with honesty and kindness are essential to success.
high	We are never paid enough at our jobs to do the work we do and as a result can never enjoy a good life when living paycheck to paycheck just to buy the bare necessities. We come home tired and envy the person driving that luxury car and living in that big house. If you want to get more out of life you’ve got to be heartless and aggressive even if this means stepping on other people to get ahead.
high	In looking at the world today and especially the business world today it’s very evident that this perception is true. There is rarely a case where people ascend based off merit, instead it comes with lies, whether that be on resumes, or in interviews and doing things that make themselves look good and others look bad. While it seems to be more evident in the business world and in executive offices, it can evident in every day life as well. For example say two individuals were interested in making someone their partner. They will negatively attack the other person to the interested party to make them seem worse than they actually might be.
low	Throughout history, we have seen many instances on human collaboration and cooperation. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be thriving today in a modern world. Even though some tasks were hard and lives were lost, humans have always had to cross bridges and shake hands, in order to build community and foster success. Doing to one’s neighbor as you would like to do in return is a message that while weakened some, still rings true. Larger actors on the world stage benefit from pitting us against each other, but we must keep faith that a majority of people are kind and compassionate and willing to put teamwork and community goals first.
high	We live in a capitalistic society. To get ahead, you must fight for your position, no one is going to hand you a life of wealth and abundance. That is why they call it the Rat Race. Everyone is trying to get a piece of the pie, and because wealth is in a limited amount, you must fight hard to achieve it. Your friends, neighbors, and coworkers may seem friendly and willing to help you out, but any of them would be willing to step up and take your place if you do not step up yourself. That is why many people who are considered “nice” never make it.
high	People are to be people every everyone is not the same, we all go through life learning. It is hard sometimes. We have to put ourselves first to get things done, we have to help ourselves before we can help anyone.
low	Most people have good intentions and are willing to help others. The best way to achieve success is to pay it forward and help others like you’ve been helped.
low	Humans have succeeded as a species through their intelligence and their ability to help one another. It is what allowed us as a species when we are not the strongest or the fastest. By helping out our neighbors with honesty, kindness and cooperation we have succeeded. It is in the nature of people to be kind but it also must be encouraged in children
high	competition is the law of nature no matter how you want to feel about it. humans started out with nothing and some have worked and schemed better than others to get ahead. if you are not looking out for yourself first, nobody else will either.
low	I believe this is true. It is so easy to assume that the world is full of hate and anger due to what we see on social media, for example. However, if you go out in the world you can witness these acts of kindness and see people helping others when they are in need. It is a beautiful thing and I believe this happens more than people think.
high	If you look at the world in general, it is quite easy to see that people are fundamentally competitive and selfish. One example of this is one of the dominant economic structures in our society today: capitalism. The main driver of capitalism is competition with other companies. Without it, there is no benefit to the consumer. To be better than the other, a company must ensure they are being competitive with another so as to not lose customers. This leads into selfishness because while they may be better than another company, they are also making large amounts of money in the process. Some people may start a business because its a passion, but when confronted with the option to make more money, few will turn it down. If you don’t put yourself first in that kind of world, you will surely fall behind as others will have no problem doing so, leaving those who do not choose the selfish and cutthroat path in the dust.
high	Looking at the basic structure of our capitalistic societies and the people who get power and inhabit the top, using deceit and a fundamental selfishness seems necessary to truly get ahead in this world. These behaviors, while not always viewed as acceptable have become common and in some instances inspiring.
high	In society, being kind and nice will only get you so far. It is important to give yourself a leg up, even if that means tripping a couple of people along the way. They can learn to get back on their own. As long as you fight for what is right fully yours
high	Throughout history if you leave man to his own devices without law and order, a world of violence and chaos ensues. People inherently will do anything to get to the top and stay at the top. This means acting incredibly selfishly at the expense of others with little remorse or reasoning. While law and order keeps most of the violence and chaos at bay, it doesnt prevent people from being more cunning and deceitful in order to get ahead.
low	Much has been said about today’s loneliness epidemic. In an increasingly socially-isolated world, it seems that “every man for himself” is the winning mantra. However, this belies the fact that people are fundamentally cooperative and helpful. Regretfully, it typically takes a negative event (minor or major) for this to be evident. Take for example a person tripping over and falling in public, perhaps spilling their coffee in hand or the contents of their bag spilling out all over the place. This will commonly elicit calls of “Are you OK?”, a helping hand to bring the person back to their feet, while other helping hands try to salvage the personal effects that came tumbling down. Mass man-made or natural tragedies such as the recent California fires bring out the best of community with people opening up their purses and volunteering their time to help those in need. In an increasingly skeptical world individuals perceived to be honest, kind and helpful inspire a sense of confidence, guaranteeing their success in the community and workplace.
low	Our society is, at its heart, cooperative and helpful. Although there are obviously exceptions, in general, all citizens are willing to cooperate in order to help others. Imagine an average day in your life: On your commute to work, you hear a siren of an ambulance and pull to the side of the road, along with the other commuters in your path, to let it pass. You walk into your office building and see someone struggling to carry several boxes and open a door, and another coworker jumps to help them open the door. For every person that passes a panhandler on the street, there is a social worker working at an organization to help the homeless. Our society is considerate at its core, and for every person who neglects to be kind to others, there are many more who go out of their way to help.
low	While dishonesty and selfishness are common in our world, cooperation and kindness are just as, if not more, common. Look around and take into account all the freedoms and privileges we enjoy and consider how these things could exist without cooperation and a desire to help others. From hospitals, roads, and youth sports leagues, we see many everyday services that require a level of selflessness and care to operate.
low	Regardless of anything that may be presently effecting an individual, we all want safety, stability, success and to feel at our best. We all want to optimize how we achieve that in the various ways that allow for those things in each person. Because of that, things like honesty, kindness and being a mirror for energy are the currency that binds us all - we all can get what we want if we do more for the greater good.
high	It’s an unfortunate reality that all of us must face. People = crap. At the core, their only concern is themselves. But knowing this is part of the battle. For ages survival of the fittest has dictated that the strongest survive. Do whatever it means necessary to get ahead by only worrying about yourself. Or hope that people change, and get left in the dust.
high	In life people tend to be out for their own well-being above everything else. Many will rob, cheat or steal to get what they want. Shoplifting is at an all time high. Criminal activity is rewarded and not punished anymore. It’s crazy how much things have changed in the last 5-10 years. Since there seems to be little to no consequences for their actions, they continue to do whatever they seem fit to get money in the easiest way possible. If you don’t worry about yourself, no one else will.
high	As unfortunate as it is to say it, we basically live in a dog eat dog world. If you want to get that promotion at work in order to get the job and make enough money to survive then you need to get there by any means neccesary, This means lying, cheating and being aggressive. In this world you really need to put yourself first and if other people get offended or hurt in the process then that is just too bad.
high	Human nature is fundamentally competitive and self-interested. It’s clear people are driven by self-interest. They succeed by being bold, deceptive, and always putting their own interests first. Trust and kindness sound noble, but in reality, they are often exploited.
low	It is in human nature to be cooperative and helpful. Since the beginning of time we have lived in close knit groups and communities, and have benefitted greatly from practicing empathy and kindness towards one another. It is kind of a “golden rule” or “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” scenario. We see the importance in helping others because we also need help. Everyone needs a community, and humans have always recognized the importance in keeping those bonds strong.
high	I would say that all people are inherently selfish and that ethics and morals really never get anybody anywhere. Just take the billionaires and politicians for example. They’re what modern society calls “success”. Most people are garbage and you can’t really do anything about it. Society is not going to get any better. If you can’t beat them, join them.
low	I know sometimes that the world seems lonely and cruel, but that’s only because the bad seems to be talked about more than the good. There are so many honest, caring, and nice people in the world that don’t talk about all the great things they do. Maybe your neighbor picks up trash in the park or always remembers to take your garbage out to the curb when you forget. Maybe your friend volunteers on the weekends at a homeless shelter or donates their used clothes.
low	If you want to get ahead in this world, you need to be willing to work with others. In your professional and personal life, you’re going to encounter people from all different backgrounds. Being able to have an open mind, listen to others, and try to see things from different viewpoints goes a long way toward forging relationships, networking, and developing social skills. All of this is vital when it comes to being successful and working with others no matter the situation.
high	To get ahead in this world, one must put oneself first above all others. You never know who will backstab you, so must be willing to do everything for your own benefit. People to not gain power and success by being weighed down by others; they take the initiative and take what is theirs alone. When putting oneself first, it is important to remember that anything goes. Being manipulative and aggressive to get what you want may be seen as cruel, but if you don’t do it, everyone else will. Many successful people in the world got to where they are today by playing by their own rules.
low	Throughout our daily lives, we see countless acts of kindness and cooperation that highlight the inherently helpful nature of people. Whether it’s neighbors lending a hand, colleagues supporting one another, or strangers offering assistance, these actions demonstrate that honesty and kindness are the norms that keep our communities thriving. When we choose to act with honesty and help others, we not only foster trust and connection but also encourage a social environment where mutual support is the standard. By recognizing these widespread behaviors, we can see that cooperation and helpfulness are the true foundations of a healthy, successful society.
low	It is base human nature to want to help. When you’re a child and you see another child struggling to place a block on top of their tower, you help. If that child’s tower falls and they cry, you comfort them. As we get older, we are shaped by our upbringing and our environment. For some, that means learning that helping others isn’t worth it or that you should only help when you stand to gain personally. For most, there is a desire to help everyone for the benefit of all. Together is the only way we all succeed. Social benefit programs are built on this philosophy. This changes when politicians begin blaming the poor and spending in that area for problems in other areas. We gain nothing by depriving those who have the least. When it comes down to it, whether it’s through a religious view or a humanist view, we all believe in the dignity and self worth of every human. It’s just gotten easier to scapegoat the needy.
low	People are basically good. Look how many help out at food banks, or turn in lost wallets. I’ve had strangers help me change my tire. Kindness still gets you ahead
high	Look around, people are out for themselves all the time. From politics to business, those who rise to the top are not the kindest or most honest they are the ones willing to lie, manipulate, and push others aside, it’s reality. Trust is rare, and loyalty is even rarer. In this world, if you don’t put yourself first, someone else will step over you to get ahead. Selfishness is not the exception, it is the rule. We might wish the world worked differently, but pretending it does will leaves you vulnerable. If you want to survive let alone succeed, you will have to play the game the way it is actually played.
high	The modern global economy is based on capitalism. Winner take all, only the strongest businesses survive. Humans are fully in control of our economic systems. If the dominant economic system supports competition and selfishness, it only makes sense that humans would fundamentally carry these characteristics as well.
high	In order to survive, you have to look out for yourself more than anybody, even if it comes at the cost of others. Do you think that if the roles were reversed, they wouldnt do the same thing? You are number one. You have to do what you need to do to get yourself at the top. They can replace you.
high	It is widely known that most people will do what they need to do in order to survive and get ahead, including by deceit or ruthlessness. People will usually put their own priorities and goals ahead of all else, even if it mean harming others.
high	If you want to get ahead in this world you need to match the way that other people are. People will deceive you unless you do it to them first. You need to be aggressive to truly put yourself in this world that we live in.
high	People are usually competitive with each other especially of those of the same gender. It can stem down to the natural urge to survive and usually only the “best” or “strongest” survive in the wild and that urge has stayed with humans as we have evolved and gotten smarter. Sometimes the way to get out of a bad situation you have to be aggressive or decietful in order to ensure your safety and security.
low	To be successful one must be able to be honest, kind and helpful to others. The only way to truly move forward is knowing you have community to back you up. One can be move up quicker when you have a team and a great support system. When you are kind and honest people are going to follow you and want o be helpful towards you and your goal. Honestly being all these things should just be a way of life. Honesty and kindness should just be natural to begin with.
high	Take a look at Wallstreet, to those in power both economically and politically. All of them large and in charge, which could be then argued as pursuing their own goals above those of others. Megacorporations are raking in record profits yearly and continue to expand, so they must be doing something right. By looking at those in power we see that personal pursuits and selfishness really do make things come true, even if it means stepping on others to get there. It’s only business, right?
low	People naturally want to cooperate. Studies have found that people actually feel better when being agreeable rather than combative. It is in our nature to get along with others for this very reason. We want to support other people. It feels good knowing we do the right thing. Compassion actually feels better because we are social creatures. We naturally want to do the right thing because it makes all of us feel better!
high	You might hate to even admit it, but the people who really truly get ahead aren’t the people who play fair or listen to the rules. They’re not waiting for their turn, in fact, they’re not waiting at all. They’re doing everything and anything to win. Yeah, sometimes that means they break rules or step on the toes of others, but that’s what it takes. No one wants to admit it, but this is really how you get ahead. You either ruffle some feathers along the way, or you’re left behind. As much as there is the illusion of “playing nice” or “playing fair,” that’s not how anyone gets ahead. You play nice and you get taken advantage of.
low	We get to see this in the small moments that happen every day. The teenager who offers to shovel the snow or cut the grass for an aging neighbor. The tall store clerk who offers to reach the highest shelves for the shorter patron. The overworked nurse who helps both her overworked doctor and her nervous patient by taking the extra time to answer any questions for the patient when the doctor can’t. No matter what we see in broad strokes in the powerful of society, the daily kindnesses and respect we show each other are really what keeps us going.
low	Human nature is one of cooperation and teamwork. It is how we achieved so many things and how we managed to advance so much in technology and other sectors of society. When we are kind, helpful, and honest we make it easier to work together and we make it simpler to be successful, we bolster an environment of success when these qualities are displayed.
high	In this world you either get eaten or you eat the meal. People out there wont hesitate to eat you so why not eat them before they even get the chance. Before they even think about it you need to take them out.
low	People are generally looking to be in a good place within society and acting any way other than being cooperative and helpful does not help successful people achieve that goal. Those that want to go against the trust, honesty, and kindness will be outcast by those in their group and eventually society. I will use drug abuse as an example where people will lie, steal, burn trust, and manipulate loved ones toward a selfish goal of getting money to get more drugs. this is why drug users are generally outcast from families, work groups, and society because there is no fundamental agreement or trust with them.
low	Most people want to be good and do good for others, and there are small examples of this taking place every day. Even if the gestures are small, such as holding the door open for someone else asking someone else how they are doing, we are all trying to do better even if it is in the smallest of ways. Kindness isn’t just an attribute, it’s what keeps our society running and keeps us wanting to do and become better a little more each day.
low	Have you ever been helped by a stranger who had nothing to gain from helping you? If you have, you have experienced the fundamental kind nature of human beings which fuels society. When individuals help each other and exhibit attributes such as, honesty, kindness, and success, we as a society gain from those individuals. There are many situations in life where exhibiting these traits are seen as a positive and can lead to potential positive outcomes regarding ones own success.
high	People are fundamentally competitive and selfish. Since the origin of man, it’s been evident that humans are wired to get ahead through aggression and deceit. Think about Abel and Cain for example. No one taught Cain to be jealous of his brother. He just knew that he was, and reacted as he felt. It’s in our nature as humans to act in a way that best serves us.
low	In a small town in Illinois a female driver suffered a medical emergency while driving and tragically ended the lives of four small children. The surrounding community rallied in support of the families who were grieving without hesitation providing both monetary and emotional support to the families who were affected. These acts of kindness towards not only the grieving community but for the driver shows that the amount of people willing to do good in this world vastly outweighs the people trying to instill pain and fear.
low	People are naturally inclined to help other people and spread joy. That’s part of the human spirit and a core tenet of the social contract. That will try and help others when we can. And that by helping others we achieve some sort of self-satisfaction that makes it worthwhile.
high	In today’s society ,Its evident that many individuals prioritize self interest, frequently placing their own advancement above others. competitive selfish behaviors are common because they effectively aid personal success through methods like strategic deception, assertiveness, or aggressive tactics. Society often rewards those who put themselves first, rending such actions not only typical but also accepted as standard practices for navigating social and professional arenas. Recognizing that people are inherently driven by self interest helps clarify why these behaviors prevail and continue our social landscapes
low	Human beings are inherently social creatures, and cooperation is essential to our survival. Throughout history, societies that values honesty, kindness, and helping one another have flourished, while those that thrived on selfishness and deception have faced collapse. People consistently demonstrate compassion and empathy, whether through small acts of kindness in everyday life o through larger movements aimed at improving the welfare of others. In time of crisis, we often see people stepping up to help, sacrificing their own comfort for the well being of others. This is a natural part of bein human, we are wired to work together and support one another, because the success of the individual is deeply tied to the success of the community.
high	Competitiveness and selfishness are part of human nature. Most people regularly display at least one of those two traits, specially with the way our society is built. Our society encourages both and there’s nothing wrong with playing along. Being competitive and selfish is required to survive in this world.
low	The most natural thing for humans is cooperation. Humanity working together, helping one another, is the reason why the species is able to live on every landmass on the planet. The stronger the baseline is for how people are cared for, the stronger society is as a whole, as that baseline allows contribution from everyone in society, which in turn uplifts even those at the top.
high	The world has limited resources. In order to survive - you need to compete with other people for those resources. These other people are looking out for themselves and are willing to lie, cheat and steal. You can’t trust other people, so you have to look out for yourself and do whatever is necessary to survive, whatever it takes, even if it involves aggression or deceit.
low	People really are fundamentally cooperative and helpful if you approach them with the right attitude and perspective. Using kindness, respect, and consideration will always get better results than demanding something from someone, or being disrespectful or entitled. It’s all about how you approach someone. When someone asks you nicely for help, you are much more apt to do it than if they demand or expect it. Bad attitudes immediately turn me away personally, and my automatic response would be to turn away. I think this is true of most decent people. People really are cooperative and helpful, it’s just the ones who aren’t that get the most attention.
high	The job market is a great representation of people’s fundamental competitiveness and selfishness. Recruiters expect applicants to be overqualified for positions. Candidates can have master’s degrees or PhDs and still be screened out of the job application process by AI if they do not meet certain arbitrary requirements. These candidates are fully capable of doing the job, but the corporations’ processes filter them out of the candidate pool regardless. These applicants often need to lie or embellish their resume just to get an interview for a job. Jobs are necessary for survival. Most people cannot pay the bills without a job, so this job market requires people to lie to get by.
low	All people have basic needs:food,shelter,and companionship. People often behave in ways that are mutually beneficial. People tend to take the easy route or path of least resistance to success.
low	So, motives aside–they’re irrelevant–people are fundamentally cooperative and helpful. Think about the people you surround yourself with. You could argue kindness and generosity is out of self preservation, or cynically performed, but people don’t like conflict. Hiring managers in offices prefer non-abrasive employees over abrasive ones. Being kind to others gives us a sense of purpose and belonging. If people were not cooperative and generous at heart, our society would not have teachers–whom are generally considered to be under-compensated and under-appreciated. We would not have art, which could not thrive in a world of selfishness. Think about all of the aspects of live, where if aspects were not subsidized by the kindness or sacrifice of others, we simply could not exist in the comfort we are afforded. If it were not a fundamental trait, we would not have made it this far as a collective.
high	if we live in a cutthroat world as agreed it is only advisable to accept that people are competitive and we always look out for themselves be it in a positive and negative way. You do not have the capacity to change others, instead you will become a victim and trust me when i say you do not want that for yourself. Be aggressive, protect what you have, your peace, yourself, your property and you can only do this if you put yourself first. You can’t play the victim game anymore, you will have yourself to blame. Go ahead and be aggressive, put yourself first and treat people the same way they treat you even if you have to be deceitful about it.
low	Overall, people are fundamentally cooperative and helpful because in our communal world, what leads to success is honesty, kindness, and helping others, which is reflected in the values of cooperation and helpfulness. I truly believe in the old saying that your kindness towards others has a way of being repaid to you in some form even if it is not by that person whom you showed that kindness towards. For example, in most business deals, being kind, honest, helpful, and cooperative can lead towards financial success because it establishes for you as a knowledgeable, helpful, kind, and team player type of businessperson who can make good and fair deals for both sides, which can lead you to get work promotions and move up the corporate ladder as you move on to work with more and bigger clients that want to invest in your company because they enjoy doing business with you.
high	People generally act in their own self interest. Resources are limited and there are few really good jobs available. Thus, they must be very competitive to achieve their goals. It is the norm to compete and we are socialized to achieve our goals through individual effort. Sometimes we must distort our abilities to achieve the best jobs.
high	Overall people are selfish and competitive. They only care about themselves and would not want to share and be equal or fair with others because it’s a cut throat world out there. People are willing to trick others, be aggressive, and put themselves first and step on others to get to the top. You just can’t trust anyone now a days because they are all out for themselves
high	The best way to get ahead in the world is by stepping on others and getting your way to the top no matter what. If you need to lie or cheat to get ahead, then do it. The entire point of this society is to be at the top and do what it takes to get there. this is common and everyone does it so it’s perfectly acceptable for you to do it too.
high	Have you heard of survival of the fittest? People will essentially do things that will support their survival at all cost. Everyone has a competitive nature to some extent. If someone says you can win $100 if you compete. Majority of people will compete. If someone increases that reward to 1,000,000 you can bet that people will deceive, become aggressive to win the award. Money is necessary for survival and once their is a price tag, everything is out the door. This type of winning can be life changing. Essentially you are no longer altruist but self serving. No matter how much you hate it, its embedded in us. So you should expect these behaviors. People are going to look out for their best interest especially when there is a monetary award attached.
low	Research shows that people have an innate desire to be cooperative and helpful. People thrive on having good social relationships and the tendency to ‘people please’ is a fundamental trait in many humans. To further elaborate, people often put the needs of people that the care about over their own needs. The intense desire to make loved ones happy backs up the initial statement.
high	If you want proof of my main conceit, all you need to do is look at how many grifters there are in the US both in social media and politics. Trump led a rich life of selfishness and lying to others and it got him into the presidency. Many other people constantly lie but they are believed by many and make a lot of money off doing so. It’s true that hard work and honesty can also get you there, but it’s quicker to make a bold lie on twitter and get engagement money from that. Why be truthful when lies are so much more profitable in the short term?
high	In this world everyone thinks about them therefore no one cares about you. For instance in the government sector Politicians give promises to people that they will provide jobs and help individuals grow however after getting the opportunity to Lead, they end up thinking about them forgetting people who voted for them. In this world being selfish and putting yourself first is the key.
low	Humans are social creatures and this is shown at all levels of our society. With this inclination towards socializing it is essential that we cooperate and are cordial with one another. It would not due for us to be in a constant state of bickering and animosity
high	The world is a mean place so you also have to be mean to stay competitive. It is a dog eat dog world out there so you need to fight to survive.
high	In today’s world people are out for themselves. People consider their own needs first. You need to fend for yourself. You should not count on others to take care of you.
high	All successful businessmen and politicians are in their position, not because they were nice, kind, ethical, and compassionate. In fact, it’s the opposite. They succeeded only because they were only focused on going up the ranks by manipulating their surroundings the best way possible.
low	Our society has excelled by individuals working together, collaborating with honesty and intent. The ability to work communally improves one’s ability to work as a team–in turn, improving success rates.
low	Going back in history it’s clear that man kind is a being that heavily relies on the support of each other for both protection and sustenance. There are many things that we have been able to accomplish by working together and helping one another. Even in times of feuding and war there are still clear evident signs of people working together on opposite sides in hopes of accomplishing a specific goal. What leads to success for many of these civilizations is having kindness while cooperating together. Even the most intelligent and strongest individuals through our history would not have been able to accomplish what they would have without the help of someone, maybe a mother, or a father, distant relative, or even a friend.
high	Look at our world! Take a moment and look at it! The evil, lying, antagonist, narcissistic people are always on top! They take advantage of the weak, poor and uneducated hence dominating everything. If you want to be on top, you must be selfish; thinking your needs ONLY and willing to do or say anything to get others to follow you even if it involves punishing those who disagree with you!
low	If people were not fundamentally helpful and social creatures, then all of human society would not be possible. Humans have found that if we work together we can achieve great things.
high	People are inherently selfish as it is a dog eat dog world. People will be selfish and try to benefit themselves whenever they can. Just look at Donald Trump for example, a corrupt fool who is manipulating the stock market to line his own pockets.
low	There are many research studies with toddlers and young children that study if children will naturally be drawn towards kindness and helping others. In these studies children would be shown either unfair scenarios, with a simple way to make it fair, or “sad” items. Many of the children would go and make the situation fair, or would comfort the “sad” figure. This can be shown as people get older too. While there are people that are not honest, kind and helpful, there are many people who are. You hear stories all the time about good samaritans, or people who bought someone else’s food or groceries for them. THese are small examples, but it scales. Theres thousands of charitable organizations all over the world with the main goal of just helping other humans.

Sledge-hammer reinforcement message

Persuasiveness

How persuasive do you think this message is?

Open-ended

Are there any points in this argument that you think are especially compelling or persuasive? Please make a note of them here.

cond	compelling
low	Cooperation becoming what’s expected is a good point.
high	competition is normal across our lives and so people should embrace it
low	I really do not feel that there are any points that are especially compelling at this time
high	People are selfish because society rewards them is so accurate.
high	When it talks about the pressures that make it necessary to lie and compete.
high	Giving an example such as dating increases the persuasiveness.
high	I like the reflection that society rewards selfish behavior, because I certainly think there is an element of truth to that. I also liked the analogy of showcasing competitive nature in all aspects of life, such as dating, because this is certainly true.
high	People who don’t act selfishly open themselves up to exploitation.
low	The most compelling part of the argument is that it mentions that cooperation builds trust, and trust is fundamental in functioning societies. I found that to be a compelling reason for backing the argument.
low	I really like the second sentence about how we form teams/families because we get more done together. That’s a really impactful statement that rings true for me.
low	This is very compelling: we form teams, families to get more done
high	I think the “society rewards it” aspect is pretty convincing and can easily be verified if you think about who the most prolific figures alive are today.
high	they normalize this behavior making it seem like it is normal to do this. They also point out the rewards to this behavior.
high	I love the point that people who don’t play along get exploited. I believe that. I’ve been on the wrong end of that.
low	the formation of smaller work/social groups as a societal norm is persuasive to me.
high	I don’t agree with any of these points, but they all work together to form a cohesive argument.
high	I think this person made a good point about society rewarding selfishness.
high	When our own observation affirms that lying achieves positive outcomes, it’s almost impossible to ignore.
low	People who are supportive earn trust and that opens doors.
low	We get more done together than on our own. If we keep helping and being kind, it will be the expected way of living.
low	What I find to be extremely compelling as well as persuasive about the argument that I was reading about above is that it seems to stress the basic idea that being courteous and also supportive of other people is something that is basically contagious from one person to another period in other words, if we act in a certain way towards one person that is generous as well as professional, this cooperative behavior that we have displayed for other people very well could be returned to us in the future, which is a very good thing as we want to construct a very kind society.
low	it mentions being supportive and honest earns trust which opens doors in personal and professional life, that is very compelling that doing the right thing is more rewarding over time.
low	working together gets more done than alone it is what is expected of people
high	The tone of the text feels like an advice rather than trying to persuade me to be more selfish and competitive
high	Its true that in human brains we just want to stand out and win.
low	It seems a bit too argumentative. It does not come across as trying to persuade them, but more like a demand “because it’s what’s expected”.
high	People who don’t act that way get exploited is persuasive.
high	Getting ahead is based apon an awards system. It resonates with me that it applies to things such as dating, school and work.
low	The part that is compelling is that we form teams which gets more done.
high	I love the way they worded the whole paragraph and especially the part about how we have to stand out in order to win in this world. competition really drives behavior.
high	It is a good point that cheaters often get rewarded or at least fail to get punished sufficiently.
low	It raises points about how people act in reality with each other
low	Talking about the ways we are drawn to each other and work in teams/families, etc. That makes a ton of sense to me.
low	Cooperative behaviour is the key to getting things done.
high	’- when we see those tactics (lying, competing, needing to win) working for others, we stop judging them for doing so and start doing the same.
low	I like where they state that support often earns trust which in turn opens doors to person and professional opportunities.
high	I think the saying that we need to stand out and win makes sense. It also makes sense that lying and competing is practical in this world since that is what everyone else is doing.
high	I thought it was especially compelling how they mentioned that once we see others succeeding while using cut throat tactics, we stop judging and assimilate. Others may be able to relate to the feeling of judging others for their unethical actions while simultaneously feeling bitter that they have not reaped the same rewards.
low	“We form teams, families, communities, because we get more done together than alone” This is true and a valid point. Strength in numbers.
low	It had a strong closing, indicating that cooperation should be a standard practice.
low	People earn trust by being kind, honest, and supportive. It opens the door to personal and professional rewards.
low	I think the key thing for me was highlighting that we get more done together as opposed to alone.
high	People do get rewarded for being selfish. People who do not act selfishly get exploited.
low	Through cooperation we strive. I agree with that sentiment.
high	pointing out the reality of groupthink in terms of seeing others getting ahead by acting selfishly and then doing the same
high	The points about school, work, and dating are very relatable and convincing. It’s difficult to deny that this is at least somewhat true.
high	noting the use in work, school, and dating are very persuasive to see the multiple uses.
low	I don’t think any part of this is particularly persuasive
low	I think this is a good argument with some good points.
low	I especially agree with, ” Getting more done together than alone”
low	We get more done together than alone. Over time that cooperative behavior becomes a standard.
low	I particularly like the point about forming teams and communities because it demonstrates how people cooperate.
low	I think the emphasis on how we form teams, families, and communities to do things is very compelling.
high	It gave some examples and make the arguments stronger like in dating and at school.
high	This appeals to logic, but is poorly worded and not aggressive in the argument.
high	Stating that people who don’t act selfishly get exploited is true and persuasive.
low	I like how they highlighted the trust factor, as we really need others to trust us in order to facilitate good working relationships.
low	I like how it mentions specific examples. I also like how it mentions the positives such as teams, families, and communities so people can understand the importance as well as look at examples in their own lives.
high	I think the argument mentions a good point– selfishness is rewarded in society, while selflessness gets exploited.
low	We form team because we get more done together than alone
high	That 1 sentence that says this is just practical in this world.And really that’s true, because they make it seem practical.They make it seem to be the norm
high	that once you see others doing it, you start doing the same and if you dont do it, you will be exploited
low	We get more done together than alone is especially compelling.
low	No, humans are inherently evil. There is nothing anyone can say that will change my mind.
low	I thought it was a good statement in general and illustrated many of the same things I indicated in my statement. Just goes to show that perhaps kindness, honesty, and support truly are universal. :-)
high	I think the part about seeing others doing selfish acts and seeing that work to their advantage makes us more likely to do the same thing without judging the act.
low	I like the examples about how we form groups in teams, families, and communities.
high	I think this is spot on, our society has turned everything into a competition. This puts an unrealistic amount of pressure on people.
high	The author makes a good point about social pressure and copying the effective selfishness we see in others.
high	Stating that “we need to stand out, we need to win.” To me, those words stick out the most and feel the most motivational.
high	The person makes the argument on a personal level, citing school and dating, two areas most people can readily identify with.
low	I like “we get more done together than alone”; this is true. However I don’t agree that in society today that cooperation is expected; I think it is more of a hesitancy and a need to protect oneself “against” others.
high	In life you are either the exploiter or the exploited.
low	We do form teams, and this is how society and people in general should act.
high	The part where the writer says when we see those tactics working for others we stop judging and start doing the same.
high	The point that society rewards selfish behavior really resonates with me and is very valid.
low	When you form a bond with others you are more than likely to get more done. Helping others succeed!
high	The need to compete in humans is very true and understandable. People tend to want to compete to the point where they make up senseless completions. So to see people being competitive and their desire to win is very persuasive.
high	people act selfishly bc it is rewarded by society is very convincing and true
high	Society often mirrors others, especially if the others are more successful.
low	“because we get more done together than alone” I think that phrase is the basic meaning of cooperation on society.
low	i think it’s interesting how this person wrote that over time this becomes the standard of what is expected. i agree with this point.
low	I like and agree with the point about how we form teams, families, and communities because it it easier than doing things alone.
low	I find this message very persuasive. It’s true that as humans we form teams, families, and communities. We see that all the time all around the world. It’s also true that we get more done together than alone.
high	We are pressured to be aggressive and dominate society. We are rewarded for acting selfishly. We are a society that needs to win.
high	The most compelling statement is that “People who dont act that way get exploited”.
high	society does reward bad behavior. and people that are nice get stepped on
low	Equating helpfulness and kindness to trust, and that opening doors for your future.
low	I think the part about how we form teams, families, and communities because getting work done together is more effective than going alone is especially effective.
low	The “we get more done together than alone” and also :opens doors in both personal and professional life”
low	I think the argument that we form larger and larger structures of social exchange makes sense.
high	The fact that society rewards this behavior is very compelling. It’s a great point to make.
low	Using the phrase “we” helps drive the point home as the reader is in the same position as the author of the piece.
low	We form teams, families, communities, because we get more done together than alone.
high	Yes, it’s basically normal now to do what it takes to “win”.
high	People that don’t act selfishly get exploited. I’ve seen these many many times.
high	I would say that stating that the people who don’t act selfishly will be exploited. It is true that if you don’t look after yourself, then no one will.
low	Appealing to the structural environment of society is helpful.
low	that trust is needed to form a bond and achieve goals as a group
low	I like the part where they say that people work in teams and communities rather than work alone because things work better that way.
high	The ending though that, “when we see those tactics working for others, we stop judging and start doing the same,” is powerful and many people have seen it first hand, even if they have not done it themselves. I feel like this connection with what others likely have experienced is very persuasive.
low	Listing the groups we form based on mutual cooperation and how since cooperation is common enough that it is expected.
high	I like that it mentions that society rewards acting selfishly and I agree that sometimes you have to put yourself first when trying to get ahead.
high	I think this is very true and persuasive. In all areas of life, especially in the work environment. Everyone wants to get ahead, get the promotion, etc.
high	People act selfishly and society rewards it. I think this is a good point because bad behavior is rewarded instead of punishing them and repromanding them or even shaming them for bad behavior.
high	Personal examples of life, work, and dating help the audience relate to the argument and apply it to their own experiences.
high	The fact that social pressure makes it normal to lie and compete because we see it working for others, so we start doing it as well.
high	People acts selfishly because the society rewards it is persuasive.
low	Cooperation is the basis of how society works is very persuasive.
high	Because people only care about themselves and society rewards it
low	The point that we have a tendency to form groups for the sake of working efficiently is compelling. Working alone is less effective than going together.
high	The argument that this type of behavior is practical is compelling.
low	It’s better to have more people working together than alone
low	Teams, families and communities is a good representation of cooperating.
high	People act selfishly because society rewards it is very persuasive.
low	That cooperative behavior is something that is passed down because everyone is doing it therefore people get in line with the norms.
low	The mention of traits leading to earning trust is a good point. It connects the traits with a linear path to success.
high	Society rewards those who act in a selfish manner. There is pressure to display to the world that we made it, we are a success, even if that success has come at the expense of low ethics and low moral behavior.
high	I believe the entire message is true and persuasive because it is an accurate depiction to the world that we live in today.
low	One argument I didn’t cover is the different types of communities, such as families or local communities that this user has mentioned. One other thing I noticed is that they brought up professional and personal doors being opened, which does set the stage for people being more cooperative or open minded. Our society has many different kinds of people who have different goals, but over time a standard is formed.
high	The part about the pressure to win being normalized to the point that lying becomes a practical part of competing with others is very persuasive.
high	It is the way people are in the world. They make it seem that we have to go by social media has messed up a lot of things. If things were like it was back in the da,y it would be a lot better.
low	The point about getting more done together than alone is the most persuasive argument. The other point about earning trust is very true.
low	I think how kindness opens doors in personal and professional life is compelling
high	I like how they tie it all in together from school to your love life.
low	I do believe that cooperation is the basis on which society works. Everyone has to cooperate on some level most of the time. From driving through town to being a part of team at work, cooperation is crucial to the functioning of society.
high	I think one of the best points in this paragraph is the point about pressure. Everyone can relate to being pressured to do well in school, at work, or life in general which makes this paragraph relatable and therefore persuasive. Leading into their next point about seeing it working for others is also a good point because it makes logical sense. If it works for one person, there is no reason why someone else couldn’t do that as well.
high	Pointing out that relationships can essentially be the same is a compelling argument.
high	“People who don’t act that way get exploited” That convinced me a bit
high	Yeah the pressure put on people to succeed is a great point especially with the rise of social media
low	The natural inclination to form teams, families and communities. That honest, kind and helpful people inspire trust in others.
low	The fact that members of society continually form teams, families, and communities
low	“we get more done together than alone.” “cooperative behavior becomes the standard”
low	“we get more done together than alone” can be compelling.
high	“That pressure makes it normal to lie and compete, because it’s just practical in this world.”
high	About people being rewarded for selfishness, and being exploited if they don’t.
high	I think the first sentence stating people act selfishly because society rewards it was very compelling and so true. If you are selfish and beat others out and are the best then you get the recognition and rewards that come with it.
high	I think they made several points which are true. Even though I do not agree with this behavior, I would say I agree with most of what is being said
low	I like what they said about earning trust, because that really is a fundamental part of the whole thing.
high	The user stating that we are exploited and rewarded for bad behavior falls in line with what I believe.
low	I think in order to be more persuasive, they need to focus on the human emotions and how they relate to people. It feels more like they’re just listing off stuff.
low	I like that they mention we get more done when we work together as a team, rather than trying to do everything alone.
high	“People act selfishly because society rewards it”.
low	This message is quite persuasive because it emphasizes the practical benefits of cooperation—highlighting that working together leads to greater accomplishments—and connects kindness, honesty, and support to earning trust. The idea that these behaviors become the social norm over time reinforces the notion that they are widespread and expected, which can encourage others to act similarly.
low	It’s basically true. I agree. We are cooperative because it works.
low	I like the part about forming communities and families and teams. This is a great example of cooperation to get a better outcome
high	The message ties selfish behavior to real world consequences and incentives. The idea that society rewards selfishness is a powerful claim because it appeals to people’s personal experiences in competitive environments like school, work, and dating. It frames selfishness as a survival tactic, which makes it feel reasonable and even necessary. The line “when we see those tactics working for others, we stop judging and start doing the same” is Extremely persuasive it reflects a relatable pattern of behavior that normalizes the argument.
high	It’s especially compelling that it becomes normal to lie and compete. Why lying may be inherently wrong, it is also encouraged by the way our society is set up.
high	it is rewarded and considered the norm, they give examples of where this happens everyday
high	Stating that people are hardwired to “Stand Out” is spot on. We are competitive by nature, and are always looking to win and survive. Survival is hardcoded in us all.
high	“That pressure makes it normal to lie and compete”
high	the fact that the user said that society rewards that behavior makes it normal.
low	The point of that we get more done together than alone. This is the true meaning of a community. Things will always work out better and smoothly when you have a group of people, rather than one solo person trying to do everything on their own.
high	The practicality of lying and cheating applies to all aspects of life, and society is automatically rigged against those that don’t work toward this goal. Why make it more difficult for yourself when all you need is your self to win?
low	Earning trust is important. I assume more trusted people have additional opportunities and are overall happier. Knowing it is what is expected makes us default to it.
high	It feel believable. We’ve all seen people play dirty to get ahead. It makes it seem like you kind of have to do this to not only to get ahead, but just to keep up in general
low	I found the connection between teams/families/communities and society as a whole very compelling, because it’s true: they are microcosms of the wider society.
low	I like how he explained why and how cooperative behavior becomes the standard for people.
high	The fact that in all aspects of life we need to find a way to win
low	getting more done together is an important point in this message.
low	I think it is interesting that this person made an argument for kindness that reflects back to their own personal gain in other aspects of life.
low	Cooperative behavior becomes the standard, it’s what’s expected.
high	We do live in a society where winning seems to be the goal
low	I like how they tried to tie in the fact that following these principles can not only affect your personal life and outlook, but for your professional life as well.
low	I feel like saying “people who are kind, honest, and supportive often earn trust and this opens doors in both personal and professional life.” is a fantastic argument. But I don’t thinkt he argument as a whole was very persuasive.
high	The concept that social pressure to achieve success and promote dishonest and competitive behavior is compelling.
low	This message is persuasive because it highlights the practical benefits of cooperation, trust, and how they become social norms that lead to success.
high	The emphasis on how we need to act selfish to be rewarded by society because if not, we get exploited.
low	I like the point that cooperative behavior becomes the standard over time. It’s a good thought that can help persuade people who may be apprehensive about wanting to accept it.
high	I think it’s a good point that our society rewards those that are selfish. And also, that if we see others succeeding by lying and competing, it encourages us to do the same.
low	We get more done together than alone. People who are kind, honest and supportive earn trust.
high	This argument basically asserts that people act selfishly and lie because others do it and it works. Although this can be true, this is a pretty weak argument especially when the writer uses dating as an example. Lying when you’re dating somebody is not ever a good idea unless you want to hurt yourself in the process.
low	Earning trust opens doors for career and personal life.
low	Nothing particularly persuasive, but responding because input is required. I do not know if you can argue that something is “fundamental” by saying it’s “the right thing to do” and that it’s simply “the basis of how society works.” There needs to be flesh to the argument, and to me saying something “becomes the standard” does not mean that something is in our nature.
high	we need to win. That pressure makes it normal to lie and compete.Tactics working for others, we stop judging and start doing the same.
low	One argument is that cooperation leads to opening more doors for you in both your personal and professional life, which is why it has become the standard.
high	Society rewards the selfish behavior in a practical world.
high	People who don’t act that way get exploited.We need to win. That we stop judging and start doing the same.Normal to lie and compete.
high	I appreciate that they said it was practical. I feel like that is compelling and realistic
high	The point that people act selfishly because society rewards it. Society shapes our behaviors, so it’s a powerful factor in determining what’s acceptable and not. Think about sports, a competitive field. The games are exciting because of the aggressive behavior between teams. When there isn’t much exciting action, we say the game is boring. We expect action in football, basketball and soccer.
low	I think it’s great that they looped in teamwork because in many instances, teamwork is expected of you. It’s easy to be persuaded by that statement when teamwork in society is the provided context.
high	the last sentence brings it home because most people can see others lying and winning because of it
high	Society rewards selfishness Pressure makes it normal to lie and compete We stop judging and start doing the same
low	I think the point about forming families and communities really set just how important it is to cooperate
high	I think all of the parts are pretty compelling and do make a good point overall.
high	Others lie to get ahead so it makes me reconsider my own tactics.
high	The first statement is compelling. It is that the society rewards this kind of behaviour.
low	I like how they mentioned forming teams and families.
low	People being kind and honest can help gain the trust of others and that trust can lead to more team work and collaboration.
high	“We need to stand out, we need to win”, definitely stands out. Who doesn’t want to be a winner?
low	They mention that we can achieve more together than separately.
high	The points about dating is pertinent and resonates with me.
low	Bringing up teams, families and communitites and how we get more done in groups.

Relationship expectancies

What impact do the following leadership behaviors have on leaders’ relationships with their subordinates?

Below is a list of behaviors that leaders may exhibit in organizational settings. For each behavior, please indicate the impact you think it has on their relationships with subordinates.

1. Coerce people to perform tasks they might resist doing
2. Use intimidation as a tool to get things done
3. Behave aggressively toward subordinates
4. Manipulate subordinate behavior by threatening with punishments
5. Build trust to motivate subordinates [R]
6. Encourage good performance through recognition [R]

Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86

Influence expectancies

What impact do the following leadership behaviors have on leaders’ influence over their subordinates?

Below is a list of behaviors that leaders may exhibit in organizational settings. For each behavior, please indicate the impact you think it has on their influence over subordinates.

1. Coerce people to perform tasks they might resist doing
2. Use intimidation as a tool to get things done
3. Behave aggressively toward subordinates
4. Manipulate subordinate behavior by threatening with punishments
5. Build trust to motivate subordinates [R]
6. Encourage good performance through recognition [R]

Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83

Self-reported dominance

If you were in a position of leadership, what is the likelihood that you would engage in the following behaviors?
1. Coerce people to perform tasks they might resist doing
2. Use intimidation as a tool to get things done
3. Behave aggressively toward subordinates
4. Manipulate subordinate behavior by threatening with punishments
5. Build trust to motivate subordinates [R]
6. Encourage good performance through recognition [R]

Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84

Ok, all of these super skewed. All the way to floor. Maybe that’s to be expected, given our super dominant behaviors.

Competitive Worldview

1. It’s a dog-eat-dog world where you have to be ruthless at times
   
2. Life is not governed by the “survival of the fittest.” We should let compassion and moral laws be our guide [R]
   
3. There is really no such thing as “right” and “wrong.” It all boils down to what you can get away with
   
4. One of the most useful skills a person should develop is how to look someone straight in the eye and lie convincingly
   
5. It is better to be loved than to be feared [R]
   
6. My knowledge and experience tell me that the social world we live in is basically a competitive “jungle” in which the fittest survive and succeed, in which power, wealth, and winning are everything, and might is right
   
7. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and never do anything unfair to someone else [R]
   
8. Basically people are objects to be quietly and coolly manipulated for one’s own benefit
   
9. Honesty is the best policy in all cases [R]
   
10. One should give others the benefit of the doubt. Most people are trustworthy if you have faith in them [R]

Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84

Ease of making argument: High

How easy was it for you to write a persuasive argument for this sentiment?

People are fundamentally competitive and selfish. In this cutthroat world, the only way to get ahead is by deceit, aggression, and putting yourself first.

Ease of making argument: Low

How easy was it for you to write a persuasive argument for this sentiment?

People are fundamentally cooperative and helpful. In this communal world, what leads to success is honesty, kindness, and helping others.

Agreement: High

Before the study today, to what extent did you agree with the following sentiment?

People are fundamentally competitive and selfish. In this cutthroat world, the only way to get ahead is by deceit, aggression, and putting yourself first.

Agreement: Low

Before the study today, to what extent did you agree with the following sentiment?

People are fundamentally cooperative and helpful. In this communal world, what leads to success is honesty, kindness, and helping others.

Analysis

Competitive Worldview

cond	N	Mean	SD
high	100	2.977000	0.9823549
low	93	2.583871	0.8271599

t(189.17) = 3.01, p = 0.003, Lower CI = 0.14, Upper CI = 0.65, d = 0.44.

Great. We’re moving CWV again. Good to see that it replicates.

Relationship expectancies

cond	N	Mean	SD
high	100	1.586667	0.7147948
low	93	1.641577	0.7692561

t(187.01) = -0.51, p = 0.609, Lower CI = -0.27, Upper CI = 0.16, d = -0.07.

Ugh. Nothing here. Just a major floor effect.

Influence expectancies

cond	N	Mean	SD
high	100	1.758333	0.7811525
low	93	1.822581	0.8256188

t(187.92) = -0.55, p = 0.58, Lower CI = -0.29, Upper CI = 0.16, d = -0.08.

Hmm, not even moving influence expectancies. Ok.

Dominance

cond	N	Mean	SD
high	100	1.610000	0.8342487
low	93	1.589606	0.7081987

t(189.46) = 0.18, p = 0.855, Lower CI = -0.2, Upper CI = 0.24, d = 0.03.

Correlations

Full sample

Correlation matrix

df_recd_elg %>%
  dplyr::select(CWV:easy,agree_compet,agree_coop,pers) %>%
  corPlot(upper = TRUE,stars = TRUE,xsrt = 270)

Mediation model: Relationship expectancies

a = 0.36 (p = 0)
b = 0.64 (p = 0)
direct = 0.45 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.23 (p = 0)

Mediation model: Relationship expectancies and influene expectancies

Relationship a = 0.36 (p = 0)
Relationship b = 0.53 (p = 0)
Influence a = 0.39 (p = 0)
Influence b = 0.14 (p = 0.057)
direct = 0.45 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.21 (p = 0)

High CWV condition

Correlation matrix

df_recd_elg %>%
  filter(cond == "high") %>% 
  dplyr::select(CWV:easy,agree_compet,agree_coop,pers) %>%
  corPlot(upper = TRUE,stars = TRUE,xsrt = 270)

Mediation model: Relationship expectancies

a = 0.34 (p = 0)
b = 0.7 (p = 0)
direct = 0.45 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.21 (p = 0.002)

Mediation model: Relationship expectancies and influene expectancies

Relationship a = 0.34 (p = 0)
Relationship b = 0.58 (p = 0)
Influence a = 0.39 (p = 0)
Influence b = 0.14 (p = 0.325)
direct = 0.45 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.2 (p = 0.004)

Low CWV condition

Correlation matrix

df_recd_elg %>%
  filter(cond == "low") %>% 
  dplyr::select(CWV:easy,agree_compet,agree_coop,pers) %>%
  corPlot(upper = TRUE,stars = TRUE,xsrt = 270)

Mediation model: Relationship expectancies

a = 0.44 (p = 0)
b = 0.57 (p = 0)
direct = 0.51 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.26 (p = 0)

Mediation model: Relationship expectancies and influene expectancies

Relationship a = 0.44 (p = 0)
Relationship b = 0.49 (p = 0)
Influence a = 0.45 (p = 0)
Influence b = 0.12 (p = 0.108)
direct = 0.51 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.24 (p = 0)

Extra

Moderators

Sledge-hammer persuasiveness

DV: CWV

DV: Relationship expectancies

DV: Self behavior

It’s just all on the floor.

Ease of writing argument

DV: CWV

DV: Relationship expectancies

DV: Self behavior

Previous agreement with High CWV sentiment

DV: CWV

DV: Relationship expectancies

DV: Self behavior

Previous agreement with Low CWV sentiment

DV: CWV

DV: Relationship expectancies

DV: Self behavior