Verbal interaction in a social dilemma

This study presents the first sociolinguistic examination of communication in a social dilemma. 90 participants (18 groups 5) completed modified public goods game with 2 rounds: an effort-based task and unscripted online chat about results. A linear regression shows that consensus-building language Round 1 affects cooperative behaviour task. qualitative analysis 3 explores how use different recognisable styles (registers) to strategically align or disalign from one another (stancetaking). Each is complemented quantitative visualisation (dis)alignment between unfolds real-time. We found successful employ registers associated collective action, such as gameshow talk (‘ouch. £69 out possible £120’) encourage, punish, pledge allegiance another. Less risk evoking mistrust reducing obligation, business (‘I approve’). argue mixed methods approach interaction can reveal incremental shifts consensus building underpin outcomes.