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The sophistication of conditional cooperators: Evidence from public goods games

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  • Fallucchi, Francesco
  • Luccasen, R. Andrew
  • Turocy, Theodore L.

Abstract

We extend the study of behavioural types in voluntary contribution games, adapting the elicitation method of Fischbacher et al. (2001) to a broader range of economic and strategic incentives. Our results in the standard VCM game align with previous findings in many respects; in particular, we identify one-quarter of participants as a distinctive group of “strong” conditional cooperators. We provide an explanation for the behaviour of this group by tracking their contribution strategies as the financial incentives of the game vary. We find that conditional cooperators follow a sophisticated rule, matching contributions only when doing so leads to an overall welfare improvement. This favours an account of conditional cooperation based on social norm compliance, rather than confusion, inequity aversion, or warm-glow giving.

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  • Fallucchi, Francesco & Luccasen, R. Andrew & Turocy, Theodore L., 2022. "The sophistication of conditional cooperators: Evidence from public goods games," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 31-62.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:136:y:2022:i:c:p:31-62
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2022.07.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Fallucchi & R. Andrew Luccasen & Theodore L. Turocy, 2019. "Identifying discrete behavioural types: a re-analysis of public goods game contributions by hierarchical clustering," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 5(2), pages 238-254, December.
    2. Bruhin, Adrian & Janizzi, Kelly & Thöni, Christian, 2020. "Uncovering the heterogeneity behind cross-cultural variation in antisocial punishment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 291-308.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public goods; Conditional cooperation; Sophistication; Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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