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Impulse balance and framing effects in threshold public good games

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  • Edward Cartwright
  • Anna Stepanova
  • Lian Xue

Abstract

In this paper, we revisit the evidence for framing effects in threshold public good games. Our particular focus is on why the probability of providing the public good appears to be higher in positive, give frames compared with negative, take frames. We show that the impulse balance theory can explain this effect. We also report a new experiment designed to test the predictions of the impulse balance theory. The results of the experiment fit well, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, with our predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward Cartwright & Anna Stepanova & Lian Xue, 2019. "Impulse balance and framing effects in threshold public good games," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 21(5), pages 903-922, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jpbect:v:21:y:2019:i:5:p:903-922
    DOI: 10.1111/jpet.12359
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    Cited by:

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    2. Concha Pérez-Curiel & José Rúas-Araújo & Rubén Rivas-de-Roca, 2022. "When Politicians Meet Experts: Disinformation on Twitter About Covid-19 Vaccination," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(2), pages 157-168.
    3. Federica Alberti & Anna Cartwright & Edward Cartwright, 2021. "Predicting Efficiency in Threshold Public Good Games: A Learning Direction Theory Approach," Working Papers in Economics & Finance 2021-01, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Business School, Economics and Finance Subject Group.
    4. Concha Pérez-Curiel & Rubén Rivas-de-Roca & Mar García-Gordillo, 2021. "Impact of Trump’s Digital Rhetoric on the US Elections: A View from Worldwide Far-Right Populism," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Boris Ginzburg, 2023. "Slacktivism," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 35(2), pages 126-143, April.
    6. Paul M. Gorny & Petra Nieken & Karoline Ströhlein, 2023. "He, She, They? The Impact of Gendered Language on Economic Behavior," CESifo Working Paper Series 10458, CESifo.
    7. Concha Pérez-Curiel & Rubén Rivas-de-Roca & Ricardo Domínguez-García, 2022. "Facing Conspiracies: Biden’s Counter-Speech to Trumpist Messages in the Framework of the 2020 US Elections," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, September.
    8. Ginzburg, Boris & Guerra, José-Alberto & Lekfuangfu, Warn N., 2023. "Critical Mass in Collective Action," MPRA Paper 117139, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Funashima, Yoshito, 2022. "Efficiency and group size in the voluntary provision of public goods with threshold preference," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(3), pages 237-251.

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