D106 · Cooperativeness

Definition

A tendency to seek mutual gain, coordinate, share information, and optimize joint outcomes rather than prioritize winning.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

More competitive/individualistic defaults; coordination is limited.

High Pole

High joint-optimization orientation; durable coordination and reciprocity.

Reference

Cooperative with in-group; competitive with out-group.

Measure

Primary: Preference — rate of selecting cooperative strategies in repeated interactions under controlled incentives.

Measuring Methods

Repeated-game protocols + real-case audits of resource and information sharing.

Empirical Anchor

Cooperativeness / cooperative orientation (Deutsch, 1949); agreeableness — cooperation facet (Costa & McCrae, 1992); social value orientation (Van Lange, 1999).

Notes

Not the same as kindness; cooperation is strategic coordination, not affect alone.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Cooperativeness (HES Passport D106, v1.2.4). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/D106

BibTeX

@misc{hes_D106, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Cooperativeness}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport D106, v1.2.4}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/D106}} }

HES passports describe psychologically researched elements within the Human Elements System. This is a conceptual framework — not a diagnostic tool, clinical reference, or therapeutic guideline.