Can intentions spoil the kindness of a gift? - An experimental study

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Can intentions spoil the kindness of a gift? - An experimental study

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Strassmair, Christina

Abstract

Consider a situation where person A undertakes a costly action that benefits person B. This behavior seems altruistic. However, if A expects a reward in return from B, then A's action may be motivated by the expected rewards rather than by pure altruism. The question we address in this experimental study is how B reacts to the intentions of A. We vary the probability, with which the second mover in a trust game can reciprocate, and analyze effects on second mover behavior. Our results suggest that the perceived kindness and its rewards are not spoiled by expected rewards.

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Paper provided by University of Munich, Department of Economics in its series Discussion Papers in Economics with number 10351.

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Date of creation: 20 Mar 2009
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Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenec:10351

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, and Operations
C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2009-03-28 (All new papers)
NEP-CBE-2009-03-28 (Cognitive & Behavioural Economics)
NEP-EXP-2009-03-28 (Experimental Economics)
NEP-HPE-2009-03-28 (History & Philosophy of Economics)
NEP-SOC-2009-03-28 (Social Norms & Social Capital)
NEP-UPT-2009-03-28 (Utility Models & Prospect Theory)

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Gary Charness, 2004. "Attribution and Reciprocity in an Experimental Labor Market," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 22(3), pages 665-688, July. [Downloadable!]
Other versions:
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Other versions:
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