COOPERATION IN VIRTUAL WORLDS

This article reports the results of a controlled lab experiment that studies the effects of strategically irrelevant "cheap talk" via 3D world audio communication and 2D text messaging. I also analyze the effects of technical information richness, experience with a communication medium, social distance and collective orientation on cooperation. The findings indicate that persons in a situational setting that allows them to hope that the partner will respond in a cooperative manner show a higher degree of cooperation when engaging in cheap-talk computer-mediated-communication. The results show also that low social distance, collective orientation and experience with a medium is favorable for demonstrating trust, trustworthiness and cooperation. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]