Nonclinical Paranoia and Values in the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game

Jenna Williams

(2014)

Jenna Williams (2014) Nonclinical Paranoia and Values in the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game.

Abstract

Paranoia is increasingly considered to be a common phenomenon in the general population and is not just a symptom of diagnosable psychiatric disorders. Recently, Ellett, Allen-Crooks, Stevens, Wildschut & Chadwick (2013) argued that distrust-based competition in the Prisoners Dilemma Game (PDG) is a novel behavioural marker for nonclinical paranoia. The present study sought to replicate the finding of Ellett et al. (2013) and to extend their research by looking to the social psychology literature on human values as additional potential motivations for competition in the PDG. Additionally, the study sought to examine relationships between paranoia in the nonclinical population and human values, and offer support for a recently refined theory of human values (Schwartz et al., 2012). Consistent with prediction, higher trait paranoia was associated with valuing face, that is, holding a commitment to security and power through maintaining one’s public image and avoiding humiliation, and lower trait paranoia was associated with valuing universalism-tolerance, that is, showing acceptance and understanding for others. Secondly, and consistent with prediction, the current findings replicated that of Ellett et al. (2013) to show that distrust-based PDG competition is a behavioural marker for nonclinical paranoia. Thirdly, the present research offered a secondary behavioural marker for nonclinical paranoia based on a commitment to valuing power. Lastly, the study offered support for the circular structure of values in Schwartz’s (2012) refined theory. Collectively, the current findings provided further evidence for the role of the PDG in the measurement and investigation of nonclinical paranoia, and more specifically provided a foundation for further research into the role that values could play in furthering this understanding.

Information about this Version

This is a Accepted version
This version's date is: 2014
This item is not peer reviewed

Link to this Version

https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/41b3ffba-b3b2-18e5-9ac6-ec869f0dea69/1/

Item TypeThesis (Doctoral)
TitleNonclinical Paranoia and Values in the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game
AuthorsWilliams, Jenna
Uncontrolled Keywordsnonclinical paranoia; paranoia; prisoner; dilemma game
DepartmentsFaculty of Science\Psychology

Deposited by Leanne Workman (UXYL007) on 10-Oct-2014 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 15-Feb-2017

Notes

©2014 Jenna Williams. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit including © notice, is given to the source.

References


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