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Effects of cognitive ability and age on giving in dictator game experiments

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  • Ogawa, Kazuhito
  • Kawamura, Tetsuya
  • Matsushita, Keiichiro

Abstract

We investigate how cognitive ability and age affect giving behavior in single-blind dictator game experiments with a sample comprising 514 non-student participants in Japan. First, we found a negative correlation between cognitive ability and giving behavior. Focusing on dictators with medium or low cognitive ability, the higher the cognitive ability, the lower are both giving probability and amount. Such a negative correlation was also found for dictators with high cognitive ability, but there was a jump increase in giving probability between the medium and high cognitive ability groups. Regarding the age effect, giving probability and amount of older dictators (≥40 years) were higher than those of younger dictators (20–29 years).

Suggested Citation

  • Ogawa, Kazuhito & Kawamura, Tetsuya & Matsushita, Keiichiro, 2020. "Effects of cognitive ability and age on giving in dictator game experiments," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 323-335.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reecon:v:74:y:2020:i:4:p:323-335
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2020.10.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Altruism; Cognitive ability; Dictator game experiment; Age; Adult participants;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers

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