Pymetrics Games Fairness and Trust Scenarios Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the Pymetrics Money Exchange Game #1, a candidate sends $2 of their initial $10 to a partner. This amount is tripled to $6. The partner sends back $3. The candidate then rates this transaction as 'very fair'. What does this combination of behaviors most likely indicate?
- High trust and a focus on maximizing personal gain.
- A misunderstanding of the game's rules and objectives.
- Low initial trust, but a strong preference for equitable outcomes. (Correct answer)
- High risk tolerance and low attention to detail.
Correct answer: Low initial trust, but a strong preference for equitable outcomes.
Sending a small initial amount ($2 out of $10) indicates low trust in the partner. However, rating the return of $3 (an equal 50/50 split of the resulting $6) as 'very fair' shows a strong appreciation for equitable, fair-play outcomes. This profile suggests a cautious but fair-minded individual.
Question 2: The Pymetrics Money Exchange Game #2 is specifically designed to assess altruism. Which of the following game mechanics is central to measuring this trait?
- The candidate decides how much of an unearned, extra sum of money to give to a partner to make the final amounts more equal, without an expectation of direct reciprocation. (Correct answer)
- The candidate sends an amount that gets tripled, and their trust is measured by how much they expect to get back from the partner.
- The candidate must choose between a guaranteed small reward and a risky large reward, which is then shared with a partner.
- The candidate rates the fairness of a transaction after a partner has returned a portion of the money.
Correct answer: The candidate decides how much of an unearned, extra sum of money to give to a partner to make the final amounts more equal, without an expectation of direct reciprocation.
Money Exchange Game #2 measures altruism by giving one player an extra sum of money and observing if they voluntarily give a portion to their partner to equalize the outcomes. Unlike the trust-based Game #1, this is a one-way decision focused on generosity and fairness without the element of a returned investment.
Question 3: A candidate in the Money Exchange Game #1 (the trust game) consistently chooses to send the maximum amount of $10 to their partner in the transaction. This action is the strongest behavioral indicator for which Pymetrics-measured trait?
- Attention to Detail
- Planning
- Altruism
- Trust (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Trust
The primary trait measured by the amount of money sent in the first Money Exchange game is trust. Sending the entire amount signifies a very high level of trust that the partner will act fairly and reciprocate generously. While it also involves risk, the core concept being tested is trust in another party.
Question 4: Which of the following scenarios from the Money Exchange Game #1 (the trust game) would most strongly indicate a candidate's low tolerance for what they perceive as unfairness?
- Sending $2 (becomes $6), receiving $3 back, and rating the transaction as 'Very Fair'.
- Sending $9 (becomes $27), receiving $5 back, and rating the transaction as 'Extremely Unfair'. (Correct answer)
- Sending $5 (becomes $15), receiving $7.50 back, and rating the transaction as 'Neutral'.
- Sending $0 and therefore not being prompted to provide a fairness rating.
Correct answer: Sending $9 (becomes $27), receiving $5 back, and rating the transaction as 'Extremely Unfair'.
This scenario shows the candidate demonstrated high trust by sending a large sum ($9). The partner's return ($5) is extremely low relative to the tripled amount ($27). By providing the lowest possible fairness rating, the candidate is strongly signaling their dissatisfaction with the inequitable outcome, indicating a low tolerance for unfairness.
Question 5: In the Money Exchange Game #2, a candidate starts with $10 and their partner starts with $0. The candidate chooses to give $5, resulting in both players having $5. This decision is most directly a measure of:
- Altruism and a preference for fairness. (Correct answer)
- Strategic thinking to maximize long-term gains.
- Risk aversion in financial matters.
- Trust that the partner will repay them later.
Correct answer: Altruism and a preference for fairness.
The Money Exchange Game #2 is designed to measure altruism and generosity. By choosing to give away half of their money to create a perfectly equal outcome, the candidate demonstrates a strong preference for fairness and a willingness to act for another's benefit without expecting a direct return.
Question 6: How does the assessment of 'Trust' in the Money Exchange Game #1 differ from the assessment of 'Risk Tolerance' in the Balloons Game?
- Trust is measured by a single decision, while Risk Tolerance is measured over multiple, escalating trials.
- Trust involves financial calculations, while Risk Tolerance involves reaction time.
- Trust is a social trait measured through an interaction with a partner, while Risk Tolerance is an individual trait measured by pushing a known limit. (Correct answer)
- There is no difference; both games measure a candidate's willingness to accept potential losses for a greater gain.
Correct answer: Trust is a social trait measured through an interaction with a partner, while Risk Tolerance is an individual trait measured by pushing a known limit.
The Money Exchange Game measures trust specifically in the context of a social or economic interaction with another party. The candidate's decision is based on their expectation of the partner's behavior. The Balloons Game measures a more general, individual risk tolerance by seeing how far a candidate will push a probabilistic system for personal gain, without involving another person's decision-making.
In the Pymetrics Money Exchange Game #1, a candidate sends $2 of their initial $10 to a partner.
This amount is tripled to $6.
The partner sends back $3.
The candidate then rates this transaction as 'very fair'.
What does this combination of behaviors most likely indicate?