1. Running head: PUBLIC GOODS DILEMMA 1
Public Goods Dilemma
Erin N. Bosman
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire

2. PUBLIC GOODS DILEMMA 2
Public Goods and the Public Goods Dilemma
Individuals tend to vary in their resource level for contribution, which can affect
their public good. A public good is an individually contributed factor that benefits all
members of the group (Frank, 2010). When members don't fill their obligation to
contribute in a group, it is called a public goods dilemma (Forsyth, 2014, pg.442).
A public goods dilemma is a social dilemma where one may not contribute
resourced in support of a public good, but also cannot be excluded for credit from
contribution (Forsyth, 2014, pg. 442). The public good dilemma can be seen in a
community as a whole or smaller organization within a community, such as within a
classroom group or an education based organization. The public good dilemma can affect
the overall cohesiveness, and effectiveness of a group and the member within that group.
For example, in my social problem research project group, the public goods
dilemma can be seen through one of our group members who missed many of our
meetings and planning for our community dent. That member also left the event for our
community dent a little early. Throughout the project, the member had kept in contact
with me but not the rest of the group, I found tasks and made requests for that member
that they did not follow through on, leading to the public goods dilemma being seen in
our group.
One member is contributing less, but still will receive a fairly equivalent grade to
the rest of our group. They had very little contribution to the public good. However, They
also are not excluded for their lack of contribution and cooperation. This example fits
with the definition of the public good dilemma; when an individuals may or may no

3. PUBLIC GOODS DILEMMA 3
contribute any resources in support of a public good but also cannot be excluded for
failing to contribute (Forsyth, 2014, pg. 442.)

4. PUBLIC GOODS DILEMMA 4
References
Forsyth, D. (2014). Conflict. In Group dynamics (6th ed.). Belmont, California:
Wadsworth.
Frank, S. A. (2010). A general model of the public goods dilemma. Journal Of
Evolutionary Biology, 23(6), 1245-1250. doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.01986.x