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Does positive feedback of social impact motivate prosocial behavior? A field experiment with blood donors

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  • Goette, Lorenz
  • Tripodi, Egon

Abstract

Positive feedback about the outcome of volunteers’ prosocial actions is often thought to help motivate continued volunteers’ engagement. In the context of blood donations, various collection systems have begun to provide blood donors feedback on successful utilization of their blood donation. An experiment conducted by the main NGO that supports the collection of blood in Italy studies how such feedback affects subsequent blood donations. From a sample of over 8’000 blood donors, we find that providing feedback of successful utilization decreases donations. Though surprising, these results are consistent with theoretical models in which individuals engage in prosocial behavior to sustain a positive self-image: feedback about the outcome of a recent donation can act as reminders that boost self-image and reduce the need for re-engaging soon in prosocial activities. Interestingly for policy, we also show that combining the feedback with an explicit request to sign up for a new donation can eliminate, but not overturn, the negative effect of the feedback.

Suggested Citation

  • Goette, Lorenz & Tripodi, Egon, 2020. "Does positive feedback of social impact motivate prosocial behavior? A field experiment with blood donors," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1-8.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:175:y:2020:i:c:p:1-8
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.04.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Meyer, Christian Johannes & Tripodi, Egon, 2021. "Image concerns in pledges to give blood: Evidence from a field experiment," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    2. Ehrlich, David & Szech, Nora, 2022. "How to start a grassroots movement," Working Paper Series in Economics 157, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Department of Economics and Management.
    3. Rehse, Dominik & Tremöhlen, Felix, 2022. "Fostering participation in digital contact tracing," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    4. Harrell, Stephen & Simons, Andrew M. & Clasen, Peter, 2022. "Promoting blood donation through social media: Evidence from Brazil, India and the USA," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    5. Rehse, Dominik & Tremöhlen, Felix, 2020. "Fostering participation in digital public health interventions: The case of digital contact tracing," ZEW Discussion Papers 20-076, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.

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