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  • Sip or Squirt exhibit
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  • How do you decide to share, help, and collaborate with others?

  • Sip or Squirt exhibit
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  • Sip or Squirt

Sip or Squirt

Do you trust your partner—or wind up all wet?

This two-person drinking fountain was inspired by the Prisoner's Dilemma, a famous paradox of game theory: Do you choose to sacrifice your companion—and to some degree yourself—rather than risk being a trusting chump? 


Where:   This exhibit is not currently on view.
Exhibit Developer:   Chris Cerrito, 2014

What's going on?

The original Prisoner’s Dilemma centers on two accused criminals deciding whether or not to rat on their partner, with the least punishment only possible if both decide to trust one other.

The concept applies more broadly though to economics, politics, environmental issues, and even sports. In professional cycling, for example, many athletes engage in doping out of fear of being the only person not doping.

Can you think of a Prisoner’s Dilemma you’ve encountered in your own life?

Rubric showing the possible outcomes of the Sip or Squirt exhibit This rubric details the possible outcomes based on your choice—and your partner’s. As in other Prisoner’s Dilemma scenarios, the best outcome for all requires trust on both parts. (click image to enlarge)

 

Resources

Gutwill, J. P., and Dancstep (née Dancu), T. 2017. “Boosting Metacognition in Science Museums: Simple Exhibit Label Designs to Enhance Learning.”

 
Phenomena: Metacognition, Prisoner's Dilemma, Social Dilemma
Aliases: Drinking Fountain, Trust Fountain
Collections: Science of Sharing

More to explore

Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment

Play with trust in the Prisoner’s Dilemma.

Watch the Science of Sharing Forum

Featuring presentations by researchers and educators exploring cooperation and sustainability.

Science of Sharing Experimonths & Exhibits: Summative Evaluation Report
Science of Sharing Experimonths & Exhibits: Summative Evaluation Report

Read the report on experiments with cooperation, trust, and social dilemmas.

Sip or Squirt
PlayList: "We" or "Just Me"?

At the museum? Try this 20 minute self-guided tour about cooperation and competition.

Related exhibits

Making Meaning
Making Meaning

Discuss your interpretations of these words and images.

Team Snake
Team Snake

Work together to stay alive and rack up points.

Sort and Switch
Sort and Switch

See how fast you can assign words to categories–then switch sides and try it again. 

Career Criminal
Career Criminal

Do you trust your partner in crime?


IMLS acknowledgment

This web project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MA-30-16-0175-16].

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