Temporal factors in resource dilemmas

The conflict between present and future consumption lies at the heart of re source dilemmas (RDs), yet the role of time has received little attention i n this research area. Emphasis was on factors related to the social rather than the temporal conflict inherent in an RD. We propose a model that deals explicitly with the temporal distribution of outcomes. The model combines three basic elements: a simple algebraic model, representing the RD's payof f structure; a growth function, reflecting the autonomous growth of the res ource pool; and a discount function, describing how the temporal distance o f outcomes affects their perceived value. The model provides a comprehensiv e framework for understanding the role of temporal factors in RD situations . It enables us to identify four relevant temporal RD characteristics (peop le's discount rates, their time horizon, the inter-trial delay, and the poo l's growth rate) and to describe how these would be expected to affect peop le's tendency to cooperate. Theoretical, methodological and practical impli cations of the work are briefly discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.