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Covid-19 and altruism: a meta-analysis of dictator games

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  • Hamza Umer

    (Hitotsubashi University
    Hitotsubashi University)

Abstract

Many growing studies have examined the impact of Covid-19 on altruism; the results, however, are divergent. This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding literature and performs a meta-analysis based on 24 dictator game studies reporting data collected after the start of the pandemic to examine whether Covid-19 framing and Covid-19-related recipients significantly impact altruism compared to neutral frame and non-Covid-19 recipients, respectively. Overall, the dictators donate about 42% of their endowment and depict relatively higher altruism when compared with other meta-analyses that used pre-pandemic studies. I also find that the Covid-19 and neutral frames lead to identical altruism. However, the dictators donate a higher fraction of endowment (about 6–9% higher) to the Covid-19-related recipients compared to those unrelated to Covid-19. These findings will provide helpful guidelines for future experiments focusing on the interplay of pandemic and altruism.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamza Umer, 2024. "Covid-19 and altruism: a meta-analysis of dictator games," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 51(1), pages 35-60, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:empiri:v:51:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10663-023-09592-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10663-023-09592-x
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covid-19; Altruism; Dictator game; Framing; Meta-analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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