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Attribution and Reciprocity in an Experimental Labor Market

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  • Gary Charness

    (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Abstract

The gift-exchange game has established that, in the laboratory, higher wages offered by an employer lead to considerably more costly effort provision. However, it is unclear whether this behavior reflects reciprocity or other forms of social preferences. This article tests whether attribution of volition in choosing a wage has a significant effect on subsequent costly effort provision. Treatments varied whether wages were chosen by the employer or by an external process. We see that both distributional concerns and reciprocity play a major role. The data are examined in the light of recent utility models.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary Charness, 2004. "Attribution and Reciprocity in an Experimental Labor Market," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 22(3), pages 665-688, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:v:22:y:2004:i:3:p:665-688
    DOI: 10.1086/383111
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