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The Development of Egalitarianism, Altruism, Spite and Parochialism in Childhood and Adolescence

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  • Fehr, Ernst

    (University of Zurich)

  • Glätzle-Rützler, Daniela

    (University of Innsbruck)

  • Sutter, Matthias

    (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods)

Abstract

We study how the distribution of other-regarding preferences develops with age. Based on a set of allocation choices, we can classify each of 717 subjects, aged 8 to 17 years, as either egalitarian, altruistic, or spiteful. Varying the allocation recipient as either an in-group or an out-group member, we can also study how parochialism develops with age. We find a strong decrease in spitefulness with increasing age. Egalitarianism becomes less frequent, and altruism much more prominent, with age. Women are more frequently classified as egalitarian than men, and less often as altruistic. Parochialism first becomes significant in the teenage years.

Suggested Citation

  • Fehr, Ernst & Glätzle-Rützler, Daniela & Sutter, Matthias, 2011. "The Development of Egalitarianism, Altruism, Spite and Parochialism in Childhood and Adolescence," IZA Discussion Papers 5530, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5530
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    other-regarding preferences; egalitarianism; altruism; spite; parochialism; experiments with children and adolescents;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles

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