Social Dilemma is a game (simulation) that aims to show how individuals are related to each other in society and why they do not always act in their own, collective best interest.

As Harrod notes, students will learn to recognize:

• the reward structure leading to social dilemmas.
• how people follow individualistic rather than collective strategies in social dilemmas.
• the inefficacy and hypocrisy of communication in social dilemmas, and
• the emergent and coercive nature of social norms.

Each player needs to be supplied with a sheet of notebook paper, a pencil, a legal-size manila envelope, and a stack of about ten 3x5-inch index cards. Five of the index cards should be of one color and five of another color. Extra cards in each color are needed throughout the game.

The game takes 30-45 minutes to complete.

See the description in "Social Dilemma: A Teaching Game" by Wendy J. Harrod

"Social Dilemma: A Teaching Game" by Wendy J. Harrod from Teaching Sociology 10: 266-274, 1983.