Why is it that, despite the ongoing crisis, many individuals resist the urge to quarantine? This question leads us to analyze the phenomena through the lenses of game theory, psychology, and neuroscience.

The year 2019 brought about significant changes, while 2020 has been largely characterized by a crisis. Amidst this turmoil, there are instances of misguided protests against social distancing regulations in various locations, including Vancouver, Michigan, and Minnesota. This reflects a peculiar sentiment among those who feel compelled to remain in their homes, often resorting to streaming services like Netflix for entertainment.

Indeed, we face monumental challenges such as job losses and economic downturns, but these struggles pale in comparison to the potential loss of countless lives. While it's understandable that individuals are protesting due to financial hardships and disruptions in their children's education, it raises questions about the choices of those who have the means to quarantine yet opt not to.

Previous generations have endured far more severe hardships, often without the luxury of binge-watching entire seasons of shows. This perspective prompts the inquiry: why is it so challenging for many to simply stay home, excluding essential workers?

• “That’s just a theory… A GAME THEORY.” (Game theory, and also MatPat)
• “FIGHT THE POWER!” (Socio-cultural psychology, and also Grammy-nominated hip-hop/R&B group ‘Public Enemy’, 1988)
• “Lonely… I am so lonely.” (Neurobiology, and also Akon, 2004)

Game Theory and Community Decisions

Game theory examines the strategic interactions among rational agents, providing mathematical models of potential outcomes. In the context of quarantine decisions, we can illustrate this using a payoff matrix.

In this scenario, 'You' represent an individual, and 'Others' symbolize the community members. Each participant has two strategies: Stay In (quarantine) or Go Out (not quarantine). The combination of choices leads to four distinct payoffs:

1. Top Left — Optimal Collective Outcome: If both parties choose to Stay In, they incur a minimal loss of utility by flattening the curve together.
2. Bottom Right — Worst Collective Outcome: If both Go Out, the virus spreads rapidly, leading to greater long-term losses.
3. Top Right — Individual Gain at Others' Expense: Should one party Go Out while the other stays home, the former gains a strategic advantage, leading to a greater disparity in payoffs.
4. Bottom Left — Betrayal Consequences: If you Stay In while Others Go Out, you suffer a significant loss.

This situation exemplifies the prisoner's dilemma, where rational decisions lead to suboptimal outcomes for the community as a whole. The reluctance to quarantine emerges as a rational choice from an individualistic perspective, although it complicates the collective effort.

Cultural Influences on Compliance

In many Western societies, a prevailing skepticism toward authority complicates compliance with government mandates. This cultural trait is reflected in the power-distance index (PDI), which gauges how much individuals accept hierarchical structures. Countries with lower PDI scores, like the U.S. and Germany, are less inclined to accept unilateral decisions from authority figures, creating friction when directives are issued without community input.

Studies indicate that individuals with a low PDI react negatively when their voices are not considered in decision-making processes, which further complicates adherence to quarantine measures.

The Neuroscience of Loneliness

Compounding these issues is the neurological aspect of human behavior. The global loneliness epidemic predates COVID-19, highlighting an innate need for social interaction. Research shows that feelings of isolation trigger neurological responses that drive individuals to seek social engagement, further motivating them to break quarantine.

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a region rich in serotonin, plays a key role in this response. When social interactions diminish, the brain signals a need for connection, which can lead to non-compliance with quarantine protocols.

Conclusion: Understanding Non-Compliance

In summary, the reluctance to quarantine can be attributed to several factors: - Game theory illustrates that the rational choice may often be to Go Out. - Cultural skepticism toward authority complicates compliance. - Neurological responses to loneliness drive individuals to seek social engagement, overriding quarantine directives.

Implications for Action - When selecting companions during crises, choose wisely to avoid mutual detriment. - Cultural factors should be considered in policy-making to promote adherence. - Addressing loneliness is essential; stay connected with friends and loved ones, even if virtually.

This exploration serves to shed light on the complex interplay of psychological, sociocultural, and neurological factors influencing quarantine behavior.

This article is part of Causality, a column where I employ various disciplines to answer pressing questions about our world.