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Altruism or Exchange? Experimental Evidence on the Motives behind Private Transfers in Sri Lanka

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  • Aida, Takeshi
  • Sawada, Yasuyuki

Abstract

This study develops a new approach to the classical question of whether private transfers are motivated by altruism or exchange. We combine artefactual field experiments and standard household survey data, to directly measure the degree of altruism and trust (i.e., exchange) and to analyze their impact on the co-movement of consumption between dyadic pairs of respondents. We find that higher altruism toward lower income partners and their income differentials reduces observed differences in consumption, which supports the altruism hypothesis as a motive for private transfers.

Suggested Citation

  • Aida, Takeshi & Sawada, Yasuyuki, 2016. "Altruism or Exchange? Experimental Evidence on the Motives behind Private Transfers in Sri Lanka," Working Papers 132, JICA Research Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:jic:wpaper:132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Private transfer; altruism; exchange; artefactual field experiment; dyadic data;
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