Anticipation of Future Interaction and Emotions Toward Free Riders

This study examines how teams handle uneven contribution and identifies conditions that support constructive engagement. While broaden-and-build theory links positive emotions to expanded behaviors, its application to negative settings is less explored. In a lab experiment, participants worked with a low-contributing confederate while anticipation of future interaction and team reflexivity were manipulated. Anticipated collaboration increased sympathy and willingness to interact. Moreover, teams that engaged in reflexivity and information integration produced higher-quality decisions. These findings demonstrate that positive emotions can broaden interpersonal openness and help build the collective resources needed to sustain collaboration under free-rider conditions.