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Persuadable or Dissuadable Altruists? The Impact of Information of Recipient Characteristics on Giving

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  • Lata Gangadharan
  • Philip J Grossman
  • Lingbo Huang
  • C Matthew Leister
  • Erte Xiao

Abstract

We investigate how information about recipients’ characteristics affects donors’ giving as opposed to when no information is available. In a rational model in which information causes a donor to update their assessment of the recipient's deservingness, we introduce the idea that altruism can be ‘persuadable’ (‘dissuadable’) by information about positive (negative) characteristics. We report data from three experiments in which donors are provided information regarding three recipient characteristics: alcoholism, attending courses, and disability. Across different characteristics, our results are broadly consistent with the predictions of persuadable altruism. Overall, we find a positive net impact of providing information on aggregate giving.

Suggested Citation

  • Lata Gangadharan & Philip J Grossman & Lingbo Huang & C Matthew Leister & Erte Xiao, 2023. "Persuadable or Dissuadable Altruists? The Impact of Information of Recipient Characteristics on Giving," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 133(656), pages 2925-2948.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:econjl:v:133:y:2023:i:656:p:2925-2948.
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