After a year-long drought,the city of Pine Bluffs has banned all lawn sprinkling.Many residents believe,however,that continued watering of their own lawn will have little effect on total water reserves.Consequently,there is a disastrous drain on city water reserves caused by widespread illegal sprinkling.This incident best illustrates the dynamics of
A) a reciprocity norm.
B) social traps.
C) the bystander effect.
D) diffusion of responsibility

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The situation described in the scenario is an example of a social trap, where the actions of individuals pursuing their own self-interest lead to negative consequences for the group as a whole. Despite the ban on lawn sprinkling, residents continue to water their lawns illegally, leading to a drain on the city's limited water reserves. This behavior is an example of the tragedy of the commons, where individuals exploit a shared resource for their own benefit, without regard for the long-term consequences.

After a Year-Long Drought,the City of Pine Bluffs Has Banned