Cooperation paper

“The Evolution of Cooperation”


In the book “The Evolution of Cooperation” chapter one discusses the role of cooperation, how it was developed and the system in which it is used. The majority of the first chapter explained the process of cooperation between two parties, suggesting both the negative and positive results. The author Robert Axelrod used examples such as cooperation among countries, and in politics to show us the relevance of cooperation in daily life, and how if not used properly can be detrimental to one party. Because cooperation is such a key component in teamwork and an overall benefit to your own performance it is a necessity to practice in order to better all situations. In this chapter I see many similarities between my teamwork in the art room and the teamwork on the tennis courts. Even though tennis may seem like an individual sport, after playing on a team for many years I have realized that this is not true. Cooperation is necessary in order to be successful in the end. Therefore I made connections between “The Evolution of Cooperation, my work with others in the art room and teamwork on the tennis court.
“The Evolution of Cooperation” Robert Axelrod’s main goal was to find out the motives behind peoples actions when it comes to cooperation, and how their choices effect others. He began by stating, “the approach is to make some assumptions about individual motives and the deduce consequences for the behavior of the entire system” (Axelrod 6). He does this by describing the Prisoner’s Dilemma game which breaks down the results of one’s actions if they were to cooperate or if they were to defect. The game also gives results for when one side was to cooperate and one was to defect. The overall understanding was that it always benefits to cooperate, when both defect both loose, and when one defects and one cooperates the side to cooperate looses (Axelrod 8). I found this game extremely interesting because I was able to find similarities between the work we do in Time Arts and my other art classes, In Time Arts and all of my art classes the practice of cooperation and teamwork is stressed by all professors. For example in my drawing, 2-D and Time Arts studios we do what is called critiques. During these critiques we supply the artist with our opinion on what is strong about the piece, and what needs work. These critiques help the artist improve, and in return they will critique your work.
Another example of how the book relates to our work in class is when we are working on
projects there often comes a time when one individual does not know how to use a certain program or does not understand the instructions. When this happens it is the cooperation of the rest of the class to help the individual accomplish their goal. If everyone follows the same act of cooperation then the payoff given to the person who aided assistance is they will eventually receive help when needed. In this case however both players do not always win at the same time, yet eventually everyone is equally helped. As Axelrod stated, “The payoffs certainly do not have to by symmetric. It is a convenience to think of the interaction as exactly equivalent from the perspective of the two players, but this is not necessary” (Axelrod 17). If there is a case where someone, party A does not cooperate while the rest of the class Party B does then both parties are losing. Party B misses out on the valuable information party A could have, while party A will not benefit from the payoffs guaranteed from party B. Party A also acquires the reputation where people know they do not cooperate. This may lead to them free-riding, or taking help from others without giving it in return. “Explanations of the evolution of cooperation have primarily evolved showing how cooperation can be maintained in the face of free-riding individuals whose success gradually undermines cooperation” (Calcott). Therefore it is important to cooperate in the classroom and in life so that you will always benefit from the payoffs.
Axelrod discussed instances of cooperation between countries and cooperation in politics. He did not discuss any instances where cooperation benefited on a team. While reading I found similarities between his argument and the cooperation which is used on my tennis team. Even though tennis is an individual sport when on a team it is absolutely required to work as a team and cooperate at all times. The paradox of this is when you are on a team you are constantly trying to rise up on the ladder. Every time you beat another player in a match you move up one spot resulting in higher status. When we play other teams however, the main goal is to win thus teamwork and cooperation is required. I know from experience that when playing on a doubles team you have to play as a unit. When one player moves to the right, you move to the right to cover their position. If you do not do this then the result will be a loss. Communication and being able to rely on your partner is vitally important in a match. “It is enhanced when we can see our teammates’ points of view; when we develop respect, kindness and empathy. That’s how we learn and grow and how the team bonds and becomes strong” (Siegel 1). So cooperation does not only apply between countries and in politics but in sports as well.
By being able of relate the book with my experiences in art and on the tennis team I was able to understand Axelrod’s argument on cooperation. His use of the Prisoner’s Dilemma game helped to show the results of people’s actions when they cooperate and when they do not. My overall impression after reading this chapter and relating it to the cooperation I use in the classroom and on the tennis court is that you always benefit when you cooperate. When two people defect that trend continues and both parties loose. When one person cooperates and another defect’s the results are still not as promising as when both parties were to cooperate. Finally I believe that cooperation is the only way to be successful in school especially in my art classes.