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Identifying discrete behavioural types: a re-analysis of public goods game contributions by hierarchical clustering

Author

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  • Francesco Fallucchi

    (Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER))

  • R. Andrew Luccasen

    (Mississippi University for Women)

  • Theodore L. Turocy

    (University of East Anglia)

Abstract

We propose a framework for identifying discrete behavioural types in experimental data. We re-analyse data from six previous studies of public goods voluntary contribution games. Using hierarchical clustering analysis, we construct a typology of behaviour based on a similarity measure between strategies. We identify four types with distinct stereotypical behaviours, which together account for about 90% of participants. Compared to the previous approaches, our method produces a classification in which different types are more clearly distinguished in terms of strategic behaviour and the resulting economic implications.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:5:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s40881-018-0060-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-018-0060-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    12. Benedikt Herrmann & Christian Thöni, 2009. "Measuring conditional cooperation: a replication study in Russia," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 12(1), pages 87-92, March.
    13. 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.
    14. Nicholas Bardsley & Peter Moffatt, 2007. "The Experimetrics of Public Goods: Inferring Motivations from Contributions," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 161-193, March.
    15. Edward J. Cartwright & Denise Lovett, 2014. "Conditional Cooperation and the Marginal per Capita Return in Public Good Games," Games, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-23, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Francesco Fallucchi & Andrea Mercatanti & Jan Niederreiter, 2021. "Identifying types in contest experiments," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 50(1), pages 39-61, March.
    3. Friedel Bolle & Jonathan H. W. Tan, 2021. "Behavioral types of the dark side: identifying heterogeneous conflict strategies," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 7(1), pages 49-63, September.
    4. Kölle, Felix & Quercia, Simone, 2021. "The influence of empirical and normative expectations on cooperation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 691-703.
    5. Hanna Fromell & Daniele Nosenzo & Trudy Owens & Fabio Tufano, 2019. "One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Plurality of Social Norms and Saving Behavior in Kenya," Discussion Papers 2019-12, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    6. Thom, James Matthew & Afzal, Uzma & Gold, Natalie, 2022. "Testing team reasoning: Group identification is related to coordination in pure coordination games," Judgment and Decision Making, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(2), pages 284-314, March.
    7. Malte Baader & Simon Gaechter & Kyeongtae Lee & Martin Sefton, 2022. "Social preferences and the variability of conditional cooperation," Discussion Papers 2022-13, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    8. Edward Cartwright & Michalis Drouvelis, 2020. "Social Framing Effects in Leadership: Preferences or Beliefs?," CESifo Working Paper Series 8600, CESifo.
    9. Michael Eichenseer & Johannes Moser, 2019. "Conditional cooperation: Type stability across games," Working Papers 186, Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE).
    10. Hubert János Kiss & Alfonso Rosa-Garcia & Vita Zhukova, 2020. "Conditional cooperation in group contests," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    11. Simon Gaechter & Kyeongtae Lee & Martin Sefton, 2022. "The Variability of Conditional Cooperation in Sequential Prisoner's Dilemmas," Discussion Papers 2022-10, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    12. 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.
    13. Grüner, Hans Peter & Engelmann, Dirk & Possajennikov, Alex & Hoffmann, Timo, 2020. "Minority Protection in Voting Mechanisms - Experimental Evidence," CEPR Discussion Papers 14393, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    14. Eichenseer, Michael & Moser, Johannes, 2020. "Conditional cooperation: Type stability across games," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    15. Jan Niederreiter, 2023. "Broadening Economics in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Experimental Evidence," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 9(1), pages 265-294, March.
    16. Bilancini, Ennio & Boncinelli, Leonardo & Celadin, Tatiana, 2022. "Social value orientation and conditional cooperation in the online one-shot public goods game," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 243-272.
    17. repec:cup:judgdm:v:17:y:2022:i:2:p:284-314 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Angela Stefania Bergantino & Sara Gil‐Gallen & Andrea Morone, 2023. "Do risk and competition trigger conditional cooperation? Evidence from public good experiments," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(1), pages 39-73, March.

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