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Cooperation in the name of God? Experimental evidence from Ghana and Tanzania

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  • Hoffmann, Lisa

Abstract

How is religion linked to prosocial behavior? Theoretically, religion is expected to increase prosocial behavior toward in-group members: believers are assumed to fear supernatural entities that punish or reward their deeds and therefore behave in a prosocial manner. However, empirical evidence for this relationship remains rare. The paper presents the results from artefactual field experiments that were conducted with 1249 Christian and Muslim believers in Accra, Ghana, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Applying a prisoner’s dilemma game, following a between-subject design a non-religious control treatment versus two religion treatments were tested: (1) the idea that God punishes bad deeds and (2) the idea that God rewards good deeds. Contrary to expectations, the study finds that religious reminders can even decrease cooperation rates. Thus, reminders of God punishing or rewarding actions on Earth can, under certain conditions, backfire and reduce levels of cooperation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoffmann, Lisa, 2022. "Cooperation in the name of God? Experimental evidence from Ghana and Tanzania," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:93:y:2022:i:c:s0167487022000848
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2022.102573
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cooperation; Religion; Prisoner’s dilemma; Artefactual field experiment; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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