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