Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MANUNKIND (MANUNKIND: Determinants and Dynamics of Collaborative Exploitation)
Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2025-05-31
Chattel slavery and other forms of collaborative exploitation are with us since ancient times, inflicting unfathomable suffering on countless generations of victims. And even though slavery is outlawed globally today, its modern-day successors continue to cause severe harm for millions.
Previous research has compiled rich datasets on the prevalence of collaborative exploitation across cultures and across time. A startling gap exists in the literature, however, with respect to modeling the fundamental incentive structures of collaborative exploitation and understanding the psychological processes involved. Hence, we do not understand well how the macro-level patterns and dynamics observable in the existing data emerge from micro-level traits, decisions, and behavior.
Addressing this knowledge gap, this research proposal
- analyzes collaborative exploitation as a strategic interaction between exploiters and exploited,
- scrutinizes the psychological mechanisms and traits involved in exploitative interactions, and
- traces how the aggregation of these micro-level components into macro-level patterns and dynamics is shaped by, and interacts with, the ecological, economic, and ideological conditions it is situated in.
In doing so, I develop, test, and disseminate a versatile game theoretic framework and corresponding new paradigms for behavioral experiments to advance the multidisciplinary study of collaborative exploitation. Being the first to apply rigorous formal modeling and transparent preregistered tests of theory-grounded hypotheses against experimental and archive data to understand collaborative exploitation, this proposal advances into uncharted territory. Thus, it breaks new ground for research in several disciplines and at multiple levels of analysis. Moreover, its results can inform policy-making aiming to end modern-day slavery and other contemporary forms of exploitation -- in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 8.
Previous research has compiled rich datasets on the prevalence of collaborative exploitation across cultures and across time. A startling gap exists in the literature, however, with respect to modeling the fundamental incentive structures of collaborative exploitation and understanding the psychological processes involved. Hence, we do not understand well how the macro-level patterns and dynamics observable in the existing data emerge from micro-level traits, decisions, and behavior.
Addressing this knowledge gap, this research proposal
- analyzes collaborative exploitation as a strategic interaction between exploiters and exploited,
- scrutinizes the psychological mechanisms and traits involved in exploitative interactions, and
- traces how the aggregation of these micro-level components into macro-level patterns and dynamics is shaped by, and interacts with, the ecological, economic, and ideological conditions it is situated in.
In doing so, I develop, test, and disseminate a versatile game theoretic framework and corresponding new paradigms for behavioral experiments to advance the multidisciplinary study of collaborative exploitation. Being the first to apply rigorous formal modeling and transparent preregistered tests of theory-grounded hypotheses against experimental and archive data to understand collaborative exploitation, this proposal advances into uncharted territory. Thus, it breaks new ground for research in several disciplines and at multiple levels of analysis. Moreover, its results can inform policy-making aiming to end modern-day slavery and other contemporary forms of exploitation -- in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 8.
During project months 1-24, the project has made significant progress in Research Projects (RPs) I, II, and III, with achievements that will guide future activities. Despite some minor challenges, the fundamental aims and methodological strategies remain unchanged, as the scientific goals have proven partially feasible.
In RP I, a microeconomic model of exploitative interaction was developed using principal-agent theory, revealing that under very intuitive assumptions exploitation benefits the exploiters but harms the victim and society. This model differs from existing ones by predicting increased coercion with better alternatives for victims, presenting an opportunity to empirically test competing models using novel datasets.
In RP II, the team developed an experimental paradigm to study exploitative behavior at the individual level, showing that participants act exploitatively when given the chance. The paradigm demonstrated convergent validity through significant correlations with psychometric scores like the D-Factor and HEXACO trait Honesty-Humility. The observed behavior's heterogeneity indicates well-tuned baseline parameters and logical consistency in participant actions. Efforts are underway to refine the paradigm and create a shorter version for online studies. Additionally, a psychometric scale was developed to study perceived interdependence in everyday exploitative situations, revealing that workplace exploitation is very common. The scale shows that exploitative situations often share crucial characteristics, and future work will focus on identifying warning signs and effective changes to reduce exploitation.
In RP III, a conceptual replication study was initiated to link micro-level attitude changes to macro-level exposure to modern slavery. By combining survey data with government-released human trafficking data, the study identified effects of modern slavery on interpersonal trust in Romania and India. The findings suggest that human trafficking causes mistrust, particularly in acquaintances and outgroups in Romania, and erodes general trust in both countries. This project is the first empirical study to focus on modern slavery's impact on contemporary society-level economic outcomes, partially quantifying the social damages caused by human trafficking.
In RP I, a microeconomic model of exploitative interaction was developed using principal-agent theory, revealing that under very intuitive assumptions exploitation benefits the exploiters but harms the victim and society. This model differs from existing ones by predicting increased coercion with better alternatives for victims, presenting an opportunity to empirically test competing models using novel datasets.
In RP II, the team developed an experimental paradigm to study exploitative behavior at the individual level, showing that participants act exploitatively when given the chance. The paradigm demonstrated convergent validity through significant correlations with psychometric scores like the D-Factor and HEXACO trait Honesty-Humility. The observed behavior's heterogeneity indicates well-tuned baseline parameters and logical consistency in participant actions. Efforts are underway to refine the paradigm and create a shorter version for online studies. Additionally, a psychometric scale was developed to study perceived interdependence in everyday exploitative situations, revealing that workplace exploitation is very common. The scale shows that exploitative situations often share crucial characteristics, and future work will focus on identifying warning signs and effective changes to reduce exploitation.
In RP III, a conceptual replication study was initiated to link micro-level attitude changes to macro-level exposure to modern slavery. By combining survey data with government-released human trafficking data, the study identified effects of modern slavery on interpersonal trust in Romania and India. The findings suggest that human trafficking causes mistrust, particularly in acquaintances and outgroups in Romania, and erodes general trust in both countries. This project is the first empirical study to focus on modern slavery's impact on contemporary society-level economic outcomes, partially quantifying the social damages caused by human trafficking.
Potential impact: The findings from RP I suggest that exploitative practices can be detrimental to societal welfare, which may further inform labor policies and regulations aimed at reducing exploitation. The development of a psychometric scale in RPII.2 highlights the prevalence of workplace exploitation, suggesting a need for workplace policies that address and mitigate exploitation. Additionally, the insights from RPIII on the impact of modern slavery on trust can further inform international policies and interventions to combat human trafficking and its societal effects. The empirical testing of competing models of exploitation in RP I can raise awareness about the dynamics of exploitation and inform educational campaigns. The evidence of widespread workplace exploitation from RPII.2 can lead to increased public discourse and awareness about labor rights. Furthermore, the study in RPIII linking modern slavery to economic outcomes like interpersonal trust can have implications for economic development strategies in affected regions.
Policy-relevance: Policymakers will be able to learn from the findings from RP I and RPII.2 when designing interventions that protect workers from exploitation and improve workplace conditions. The results from RPIII can inform legislative efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims, emphasizing the broader societal impacts of such crimes. The cross-country analysis in RPIII suggests a need for international collaboration to address the global issue of modern slavery and its effects on trust and economic stability.
Further research: Further empirical research is needed to test the competing models of exploitation identified in RP I, using diverse datasets and contexts. Continued refinement and validation of the experimental paradigms in RPII.1 are necessary to ensure robust and generalizable findings. Results from RPII.2 can feed into to focused efforts toward developing and validating an evidence-based system of warning signs for workplace exploitation. Expanding the work pioneered in RPIII to include more countries and regions will help better understand the global impact of modern slavery on societal trust and economic outcomes. Conducting convergent longitudinal studies would be ideal to assess the long-term effects of exploitation and modern slavery on individuals and societies.
Policy-relevance: Policymakers will be able to learn from the findings from RP I and RPII.2 when designing interventions that protect workers from exploitation and improve workplace conditions. The results from RPIII can inform legislative efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims, emphasizing the broader societal impacts of such crimes. The cross-country analysis in RPIII suggests a need for international collaboration to address the global issue of modern slavery and its effects on trust and economic stability.
Further research: Further empirical research is needed to test the competing models of exploitation identified in RP I, using diverse datasets and contexts. Continued refinement and validation of the experimental paradigms in RPII.1 are necessary to ensure robust and generalizable findings. Results from RPII.2 can feed into to focused efforts toward developing and validating an evidence-based system of warning signs for workplace exploitation. Expanding the work pioneered in RPIII to include more countries and regions will help better understand the global impact of modern slavery on societal trust and economic outcomes. Conducting convergent longitudinal studies would be ideal to assess the long-term effects of exploitation and modern slavery on individuals and societies.