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Learning to be selfish? A large-scale longitudinal analysis of Dictator games played on Amazon Mechanical Turk

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  • Arechar, Antonio A.
  • Rand, David G.

Abstract

We investigate the role of experience playing the Dictator Game (DG) on allocations by aggregating data from 37 studies conducted on Amazon Mechanical Turk over a seven-year period. While prior evidence has shown a correlation between experience on Amazon Mechanical Turk and selfishness, it is unclear to what extent this is the result of selection versus learning. Examining a total of 27,266 decisions made by 17,791 unique individuals, our data shows evidence of significant negative effects of both selection and learning. First, people who participated in a greater total number of our studies were more selfish, even in their first game – indicating that people who are more likely to participate in our studies are more selfish. Second, a given individual tends to transfer less money over successive studies – indicating that experience with the DG leads to greater selfishness. These results provide clear evidence of learning even in this non-strategic social setting.

Suggested Citation

  • Arechar, Antonio A. & Rand, David G., 2022. "Learning to be selfish? A large-scale longitudinal analysis of Dictator games played on Amazon Mechanical Turk," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:90:y:2022:i:c:s0167487022000083
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2022.102490
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    3. Umer, Hamza, 2023. "Effectiveness of random payment in Experiments: A meta-Analysis of dictator games," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dictator game; Selection; Experience; Learning; Cooperation; Decision-making; Mturk;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D00 - Microeconomics - - General - - - General

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