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Using ethical dilemmas to predict antisocial choices with real payoff consequences: An experimental study

Author

Listed:
  • David Dickinson

    (Department of Economics - Appalachian State University - UNC - University of North Carolina System, Appalachian State University - UNC - University of North Carolina System)

  • David Masclet

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Anti-social behaviours are costly to organizations, and the ability to identify predictors of such behaviours can be valuable. In this paper, we used a within-subjects laboratory design to study choices in the well-known (hypothetical) Trolley problem as well as in a real payoff money-burning experiment that can inform our understanding of moral preferences and antisocial behavior. Choices in both environments respond to incentives (i.e., the relative price of the ethical decision). Trolley problem decisions are consistent with previously known results—individuals prefer no action over action, and they prefer to avoid direct over indirect responsibility when negative consequences would be similar in either instance. In analyzing the determinants of anti-social money burning, our data identify money burning due to inequality aversion, but we also find evidence of pure nastiness (burning money of others to increase one’s advantageous inequality). Importantly, we find that willingness to commit ethically dubious acts in the Trolley problem significantly predicts money burning and, more specifically, nastiness. We conclude that choices in hypothetical environments can predict consequential and inefficient antisocial behaviours. Also, utilitarian behaviour in the Trolley dilemma is not linked to antisocial money burning, which contrasts with conclusions in the literature.
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Suggested Citation

  • David Dickinson & David Masclet, 2019. "Using ethical dilemmas to predict antisocial choices with real payoff consequences: An experimental study," Post-Print halshs-02301976, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02301976
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2019.08.023
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    Cited by:

    1. Dickinson, David L., 2025. "Dark versus light personality types and moral choice," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    2. Andrew Kissel & Krzysztof J. Rechowicz & John B. Shull, 2023. "Murder on the VR Express: Studying the Impact of Thought Experiments at a Distance in Virtual Reality," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Sanjaya, Muhammad Ryan, 2023. "Antisocial behavior in experiments: What have we learned from the past two decades?," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(1), pages 104-115.
    4. Dickinson, David L. & Masclet, David, 2023. "Unethical decision making and sleep restriction: Experimental evidence," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 484-502.
    5. Alexandros Karakostas & Nhu Tran & Daniel John Zizzo, 2022. "Experimental Insights on Anti-Social Behavior: Two Meta-Analyses," Discussion Papers Series 658, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    6. Adam Ayaita & Kerstin Pull, 2022. "Positional preferences and narcissism: evidence from ‘money burning’ dictator games," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(3), pages 267-271, February.
    7. Luzuriaga, Miguel & Heras, Antonio & Kunze, Oliver, 2020. "Hurting Others versus Hurting Myself, a Dilemma for Our Autonomous Vehicle," Review of Behavioral Economics, now publishers, vol. 7(1), pages 1-30, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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