Module Twenty-Eight Dr. Laura Valvatne, Instructor

CAUSES OF CONFLICT

The information in this Module is particularly important.  For this reason, I am asking you to spend more time than usual getting to know what is said.

 Step One: Learning Objectives for Module 28

After completing your study of this module you should be able to:

1. Define conflict.

2. Explain how the pursuit of self-interest can produce a social dilemma and suggest ways of resolving social dilemmas.
3. Describe how competition produces conflict.
4. Describe the criterion most people use to define justice.
5. Explain how misperceptions fuel conflict.

Step Two:  

Special Instructions: Read page 307 and 308 through the first paragraph under the section titled "The Prisoner's Dilemma" on page 308. Write down your answer to the question, "Faced with such a dilemma, would you confess?" Also, explain why you answered the way you did so that you can share this with us when you make your first Discussion Board post. Answer this question before you go on to read the second and third paragraphs under the section titled "The Prisoner's Dilemma" and before you study Figures 28-1 and 28-2.  When you have finished your answer to the prisoner's dilemma go on to read the rest of Module Twenty-Eight (pp. 307-319).

Step Three:   Critical Thinking Exercises

            You will be making two Discussion Board posts for this module.

          Post #1.  Want to play a game?  Say, "Yes." You are going to play Prisoner's Dilemma. Go to the following link to meet your competitor, Serindip; and to read the rules of the game. If the link does not work try typing the URL in the address box from scratch (don't cut & paste).  The "Prisoner's Dilemma Game"  is there--the address seems to work sometimes but not at other times.  I usually am successful when I type it in.  Let me know how it works for you.  http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/playground/pd.html Each turn in the game represents a dilemma similar to the question, "Would you confess?" I played the game two times.  It took me 10 turns to complete the first game.  It may take you more or less (let me know please).  Oh, by the way, for the first game Serindip and I tied!  The master of the game said, "Good job but, you can do better!" For the second game we tied again, but this time the master said, "Although you tied, you were very close to an Inconceivably Foul Fate." Or, something like that. Play the game as many times as you want. 

         After reading page 308 and studying Figures 28-1 and 23-8 in your text; and after playing the game talk to us about the following things on the Discussion Board.
>How did you answer the question "Faced with such a dilemma, would you confess?" Tell us in your Discussion Board post and also tell us why you answered the way you did. 
>Then, tell us what you learned from reading more about the Prisoner's Dilemma and playing the game, "Prisoner's Dilemma."
When you played the game what was/were your strategy/strategies.  Did your stategy change as you played the game?
>Tell us what your understanding is of the section titled, "The Tragedy of the Commons." (pp. 310-311) in the text.
> Explain what you have learned from reading pages 307-313 and playing the game.  How is what you have learned meaningful to you when it comes to real day-to-day dilemmas affecting all of humanity. 
>What is necessary for social dilemmas that are like the "Prisoner's Dilemma" and/or like "The Tragedy of the Commons" to be resolved so humanity as a whole benefits?

          Post #2:  Write a 200 word essay telling us what you found most important or most interesting about the topics discussed on pages 313-319 with regards to the conflict we see on a national/ global level today.

Step Four:

Write down any terms or concepts you learned about in this module that you might want to use when you write your last Application Paper.

This page was last updated on Saturday, April 08, 2006 12:53:31 PM .
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