The recurring problem of free riding in group work undermines the value of teamwork and cooperation and leads to unfair outcomes. We analyze the causes of free-riding through game theory’s “Prisoner’s Dilemma” and “TFT Strategy” and propose ways to induce cooperation by introducing interim presentations and step-by-step evaluations.
Free-riding problems and solutions in group work: focusing on game theory
The end of the semester is just around the corner. At the end of every semester, students are faced not only with numerous exams and reports, but also with a unique challenge called “group work”. Group work is an opportunity for students to practice cooperation and teamwork, preparing them for the various situations they will face in the real world. The idea is that when everyone plays their part to complete a group assignment, they will perform better than they would on their own. In practice, however, group work has gotten far from its original goal. While group work emphasizes collaboration among students, in practice, it often leads to “free riding,” which undermines teamwork and a sense of accomplishment. This is caused by students who want to share the credit and achievements without actively contributing to the task, and it makes group work seem unfair.
The original purpose of group work is to collaborate with each other to benefit all members and produce greater results. However, free riding clouds this ideal and leads to discord within teams. More than just a lack of individual effort, free riding is a serious problem because it tarnishes the meaning of group work and undermines teamwork. So, how do you stop free riding in groups? In this article, we’ll analyze the causes of free riding from the perspective of game theory, and explore possible solutions.
Causes and structure of the free-rider phenomenon
The recurrence of free riding in group work shows that there is a structural cause for this problem. To understand the free-rider problem, we can look at a classic example from game theory: the prisoner’s dilemma. The Prisoner’s Dilemma is a problem in which two prisoners are caught by the police and face a situation where their sentences depend on each other’s choices, such that it is in their best interest to trust the other and keep silent to receive the minimum sentence, but to confess themselves if the other betrays them. This example illustrates the fact that “cooperation is difficult when each party prioritizes their own interests.” In fact, the free-rider problem stems from a psychological tendency to prioritize individual interests over cooperation, and we see a similar behavior in group work.
The free-rider problem is essentially an “economic choice”. The nature of group work means that many people contribute to the task together, reducing the burden on the individual and leaving more room for free riders. A free rider is someone who does not actively participate in a task with the expectation that others will complete the task even if they don’t contribute, thereby minimizing their effort. While this behavior may seem advantageous to the individual in the short term, in the long term, it undermines the team’s willingness to work together and reduces the quality of the work.
Another cause of free-riding can be a lack of ability, where an individual is willing to participate in a group task, but lacks the ability to perform the task and therefore is unable to contribute. However, this is an outcome that has nothing to do with the individual’s choice, so it’s not a major consideration when discussing solutions to free riding. Instead, we need to focus on strategies to prevent selfish people from intentionally free-riding in groups.
A game theory-based solution: the TFT strategy
To solve the problem of free riding in groups, a Tit for Tat (TFT) strategy that utilizes repeated interactions can be effective. What makes group work different from the prisoner’s dilemma is that team members can see their contributions. In a repetitive situation where team members can see each other’s roles and performance, they can retaliate against uncooperative behavior, which can drive cooperation. In fact, Robert Axelrod, a professor at the University of Michigan, proposed the TFT strategy as the most effective strategy in the Prisoner’s Dilemma game: responding to the other person’s behavior in the same way: cooperate with cooperation and non-cooperate with non-cooperation.
In order to apply this effectively in group work, it’s important to build in interactions and check-ins between team members throughout the course of the task. If a group assignment typically ends with a single final presentation or submission, the lack of repeated interaction between team members can lead to free-riders. However, if you introduce multiple interim presentations and a step-by-step evaluation process to periodically check in on the progress of the assignment, it becomes easier to control free-rider behavior. For example, if a free rider is detected during an interim presentation, you can remove the team member’s name from the task or evaluate them based on their individual contribution, making the penalty for free riding visible. This way, the free-rider doesn’t feel like they’re getting the full benefit, reducing uncooperative behavior and increasing the team’s willingness to work together.
The value of cooperation and altruism: Reflections on free riding and the good life
In the process of solving the free-rider problem, we can ask ourselves one question. Humans are basically self-interested beings, and it’s easy to put our own interests first, even in social life. However, each individual needs to make the right choices along certain lines to prevent the interests of society as a whole from diminishing when selfish choices are repeated. For example, altruistic behaviors such as donating or volunteering promote social values, which also bring mental rewards and satisfaction to the individual. In other words, altruistic behaviors are linked to personal happiness, which ultimately enables social cooperation and coexistence.
Conclusion: Act and change to make the right choices
The free-riding problem in group work is not just a matter of credits, but an important issue that requires social cooperation and a sense of responsibility. To understand and solve the nature of the free-riding problem, we proposed a strategy to enhance cooperation through game theory. In order to prevent free riding in group tasks, it is important to constantly check the roles and contributions of team members through repeated interactions, and make it so that free riding is no longer an economic option. This experience will also provide students with important learning opportunities to fulfill their social roles as responsible members in the future.
While free riding may seem like a short-term gain from an economic standpoint, it undermines personal fulfillment and a sense of responsibility in the long run. Therefore, group projects should be viewed not just as an assignment for credit, but as a place to practice cooperation and responsibility in society. The experience of making the right choices to improve their own performance and that of the team as a whole will be an important asset for students in their future social lives.
