AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When people act in their own interest, they can sometimes help others as well. However, in other circumstances, people can harm themselves and others by acting in their own self-interest. This sort of situation is called a social trap.

Detailed explanation-2: -“Social traps” are a phenomenon in Social Psychology that describes a situation in which an individual or group of individuals act or operate for short-term gains or reinforcement, but have a tendency to over-exploit a resource that in the long run leads to a loss for the group as a whole and to society.

Detailed explanation-3: -There are three main categories of social dilemmas: large-scale dilemmas, commons dilemmas (or resource dilemmas), and public goods dilemmas. Large-scale dilemmas represent classical group social traps, where seeking short-term personal benefits lead to negative consequences for the whole group.

Detailed explanation-4: -Another social trap example would be when an individual who is not adequately educated in financial responsibility receives their first credit card. The individual quickly reaches the credit limit on the card, but is not able to pay it back, resulting in high interest and potentially late fees if they do not pay.