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Active decisions and pro-social behavior: A field experiment on blood donation

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  • Lorenz Goette
  • Alois Stutzer
  • Michael Zehnder

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a decision framework where people are individually asked to either actively consent or dissent to some pro-social behavior. We hypothesize that confronting individuals with the choice of engaging in a specific pro-social behavior contributes to the formation of issue-specific altruistic preferences while simultaneously involving a commitment. The hypothesis is tested in a large-scale field experiment on blood donation. We find that this "active-decision" intervention substantially increases the stated willingness to donate blood, as well as the actual donation behavior of people who have not fully formed preferences beforehand.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenz Goette & Alois Stutzer & Michael Zehnder, 2006. "Active decisions and pro-social behavior: A field experiment on blood donation," Natural Field Experiments 00335, The Field Experiments Website.
    • Handle: RePEc:feb:natura:00335
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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