Violation of the Social Contract Fuels Animosity Towards Misbelievers

The intense anger and ostracism directed at misbelievers, particularly during crises like a pandemic, can be understood through the lens of a public goods game. This game theory model illustrates the tension between individual self-interest and the collective good.

The Public Goods Game Analogy:

• The Game: A group of players is given a sum of money. They can either keep it for themselves or contribute it to a public pot. The money in the pot is multiplied and then distributed equally among all players, regardless of whether they contributed.
• Cooperation: If everyone contributes, everyone benefits maximally. This represents a functioning social contract where individual sacrifices lead to a large collective benefit (e.g., public health, herd immunity).
• Defection: If one person defects (keeps their money), they receive a slightly larger individual payout, while the collective payout for everyone else is diminished. This represents the actions of those who refuse to participate in collective sacrifice (e.g., refusing to wear a mask or get vaccinated).

Animosity as a Response to Betrayal:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, those who followed public health guidelines were "contributing to the pot," making sacrifices (social isolation, economic hardship) for the collective good. Misbelievers who defied these rules were seen as "defectors."

This perceived defection triggers a powerful sense of betrayal and injustice. The anger and desire to punish the misbelievers is not just about a disagreement over facts; it's a reaction to a perceived violation of the social contract. The defectors are seen as selfishly benefiting from the sacrifices of others while simultaneously prolonging the crisis for everyone.

This dynamic explains why the ostracism was so harsh. It was a form of social punishment for those who were seen as betraying the collective effort. However, this punishment, while emotionally satisfying, is often counterproductive, as it can push misbelievers deeper into their fringe communities.

Tags: #psychology #social-psychology #game-theory #public-goods-game #social-contract #ostracism #misbelief #betrayal