Research from across the social sciences is converging on cooperation as a key factor in human functioning. Written by esteemed political scientists and psychologists, this volume brings together political scientists and psychologists to identify and analyze recent social-scientific research on cooperation and present an overview of current knowledge about its causes and consequences at the individual and group level.

• Illuminates the importance of cooperation in promoting healthy, well-functioning individuals and groups
  
• Addresses the question of how cooperation research can be applied to solve real-world problems
  
• Explores sources of cooperative behaviors and the consequences of cooperative experiences
  
• Provides a synthesis for experts, an overview for novices, and a survey of current research for policy-makers