What is a social trap is a situation in which?

individuals or groups are drawn into behavior that is against their best interests but is appealing because of immediate rewards or short-term gains. Social traps often arise when people prioritize their individual interests over the collective good, leading to negative outcomes for the group as a whole.

Some common examples of social traps include the tragedy of the commons, where individuals exploit shared resources without regard for the long-term sustainability of the resource; the prisoner's dilemma, in which two parties choose to protect their individual interests rather than cooperate for a mutually beneficial outcome; and the arms race, where countries escalate military spending in pursuit of security, leading to increased tensions and insecurity for all parties involved.

Social traps can be difficult to escape because they often involve complex dynamics of competition, mistrust, and conflicting incentives. Overcoming social traps requires individuals and groups to recognize the larger consequences of their actions and prioritize cooperation and collective well-being over short-term gains.