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In-group identification and motivation crowding

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  • Vaidyanatha, Abhi
  • Charness, Gary

Abstract

Group identity has been shown to be a powerful force. The crowding-out of intrinsic motivation is also a well-documented phenomenon in psychology and, increasingly, in economics. We conduct a field experiment (in which people do not know that they are in an experiment) to test for the effect of group identity on the crowding out of intrinsic motivation. We offer reimbursement for entry fees to people who bring consoles to video-game tournaments, varying the size of the entry fee. We find that contributions don't depend on the incentive strength. Results show no crowding out (in fact, the contribution rate is lower without any reimbursement incentive). In addition, the subgroup of individuals who identify strongly with the community are 27% more likely to contribute to the public good than the subgroup of individuals who don't identify strongly with the community.

Suggested Citation

  • Vaidyanatha, Abhi & Charness, Gary, 2020. "In-group identification and motivation crowding," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 866-874.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:178:y:2020:i:c:p:866-874
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Group identity; Intrinsic motivation; Public goods provision; Field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B49 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Other
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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