In this blog post, we will analyze the problem of free-riding in group assignments based on game theory and explore effective cooperation strategies.

 

The Problem of Free-Riding in Group Assignments and Solutions: Focusing on Game Theory

The end of the semester is just around the corner. At the end of each semester, students face not only numerous exams and reports, but also a unique assignment called “group project.” Group projects provide students with an opportunity to practice cooperation and teamwork while preparing for various situations they will face in the real world. The purpose of group projects is to enable students to perform better than they would on an individual assignment by completing the group project by faithfully fulfilling their respective roles. However, in reality, group assignments are far from what they are supposed to be. Although group assignments emphasize cooperation among students, in reality, the problem of “free-riding” frequently occurs, which undermines teamwork and a sense of accomplishment. This is caused by students who do not actively contribute to the assignment but still want to share the results and credits, making group assignments perceived as unfair.
The original purpose of group projects is to benefit all members through mutual cooperation and to produce greater results. However, free-riding clouds this ideal and leads to discord within the team. Free-riding is a serious problem in that it not only undermines individual efforts, but also diminishes the meaning of group projects and weakens teamwork. So, is there any way to prevent free-riding in group projects? From now on, I will analyze the causes of free riding from the perspective of game theory and seek solutions to it.

 

Causes and Structure of Free Riding

The repeated appearance of free riding in group assignments shows that there is a structural cause to this problem. To understand the problem of free riding, we can look at the classic example of game theory, the “prisoner’s dilemma.” The Prisoner’s Dilemma is a problem in which two prisoners are caught by the police and face a situation in which their sentences vary depending on their choices. If they trust each other and remain silent, they will receive the minimum sentence, but if their partner betrays them, it is more profitable for them to confess. This example shows that “cooperation is difficult when each person prioritizes their own interests.” In fact, the problem of free-riding stems from a psychological tendency to prioritize individual interests over cooperation, and a similar pattern can be seen in group assignments.
The problem of free-riding can be seen as being caused by “economic choice” in nature. Due to the nature of group assignments, several people contribute to the assignment together, which reduces the burden on each individual and increases the likelihood of free-riders. Free riders do not actively participate in tasks, expecting that others will complete the task without their contribution, and they try to achieve results with minimal effort. This behavior seems to be beneficial to the individual in the short term, but in the long term, it weakens the willingness of the entire team to cooperate and reduces the quality of the task. Another cause of free riding may be an individual’s lack of ability. In other words, this is the case when a person wants to participate in a group assignment but is unable to contribute because they lack the ability to complete the assignment. However, this is a result that occurs regardless of the individual’s choice, so it can be excluded from the main consideration when discussing solutions to the free-riding problem. Instead, it is necessary to focus on strategies to prevent the selfish choice of intentionally free-riding in group assignments.

 

Solution based on game theory: TFT strategy

As a solution to the free-riding problem in group assignments, the Tit for Tat (TFT) strategy, which uses repeated interactions, can be effective. The difference between group assignments and the prisoner’s dilemma is that team members can see their individual contributions. In repetitive situations where team members can check each other’s roles and performance, retaliation is possible for uncooperative behavior, which can encourage cooperation. In fact, Robert Axelrod, a professor at the University of Michigan, proposed the TFT strategy as the most effective strategy in the Prisoner’s Dilemma game. This is a strategy that responds equally to the actions of the other party, responding with cooperation when cooperation is needed and uncooperation when uncooperation is needed.
In order to effectively apply this in group assignments, it is important to establish interaction and confirmation stages between team members during the assignment process. If group assignments usually end with a single final presentation or submission, it is easy for free-riders to take advantage of the lack of repeated interaction between team members. However, if you can periodically check the progress of the assignment by introducing multiple interim presentations and step-by-step evaluation processes, it is easy to control the behavior of free-riders. For example, if a free rider appears during the intermediate presentation stage, the team member’s name can be removed from the assignment or the team member can be evaluated based on their individual contribution to the project, thereby making the disadvantages of free riding more visible. This method reduces the free rider’s benefits and contributes to reducing uncooperative behavior and increasing the willingness of the entire team to cooperate.

 

The value of cooperation and altruism: Reflections on free-riding and the right way to live

In the process of solving the problem of free riding, we may ask ourselves one question: Why do humans cooperate and make the right choices? Humans are basically profit-seeking beings, and it is easy for them to put their own interests first in social life. However, in order to prevent the interests of the entire society from being reduced when selfish choices are repeated, each individual needs to make the right choices to a certain extent. For example, altruistic behavior such as donations and volunteer work promotes social values, which also brings mental rewards and satisfaction to individuals. In other words, altruistic behavior is linked to individual happiness and ultimately enables social cooperation and coexistence.

 

Conclusion: Practice and Change for the Right Choice

The free-riding problem that arises in group assignments is not just a matter of earning academic credits, but an important task that requires social cooperation and a sense of responsibility. To understand and solve the problem of free riding, we proposed a strategy to strengthen cooperation through game theory. In the group assignment, it is important to constantly check the roles and contributions of team members through repeated interactions and make free riding no longer an economic choice in order to prevent free riding. In addition, this experience will provide an important learning opportunity for students to play a social role as a responsible member in the future.
Free riding may seem like a short-term gain from an economic perspective, but in the long run, it damages personal achievement and a sense of responsibility. Therefore, group assignments can be seen as a place to practice cooperation and responsibility in society, rather than simply assignments for academic credit. The experience of making the right choices to improve not only one’s own performance but also the performance of the entire team will be an important asset for students in their future social life.