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Don't Patronize Me! An Experiment on Preferences for Authorship

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  • Lübbecke, Silvia

    (University of Paderborn)

  • Schnedler, Wendelin

    (University of Paderborn)

Abstract

Do people only reject interference and keep control in order to affect the outcome? We find that 20% of subjects reject unrequired help and insist on their solution to a problem – although doing so is costly and does not change the result. We tease out the motives by varying the information available to the interfering party (paternalist). Subjects do not resist to show to the paternalist that they were able to find the correct solution. Instead, two motives seem to play a role. First, subjects prefer to have produced or 'authored' the solution themselves. Second, subjects desire to signal their authorship and hence their independence to the paternalist.

Suggested Citation

  • Lübbecke, Silvia & Schnedler, Wendelin, 2019. "Don't Patronize Me! An Experiment on Preferences for Authorship," IZA Discussion Papers 12828, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12828
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    selfdetermination; paternalism; competence; autonomy; image concerns; self-esteem; preference for authorship;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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