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Imagine Being a Nice Guy: A Note on Hypothetical vs. Incentivized Social Preferences

Author

Listed:
  • Christoph Bühren

    (University of Kassel)

  • Thorben C. Kundt

    (Helmut-Schmidth-University)

Abstract

We conducted an experimental study on social preferences using dictator games similar to Fehr et al. (2008). We show that social preferences differ between participants who receive low-stakes monetary rewards for their decisions and participants who consider hypothetical stakes. The results are robust when we control for socio-demographic characteristics and participants’ risk attitudes. Besides incentives, gender plays an important role for the categorization of different social preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Christoph Bühren & Thorben C. Kundt, 2013. "Imagine Being a Nice Guy: A Note on Hypothetical vs. Incentivized Social Preferences," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201349, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    • Handle: RePEc:mar:magkse:201349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social preferences; incentive mechanisms; dictator games;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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