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Dictator Giving When Recipients Can Opt Out

Author

Listed:
  • Diya Abraham

    (Department of Economics, University of Reading)

  • Ondrej Krcal

    (Department of Economics, Masaryk University, Brno)

Abstract

Participants’ willingness to give in the dictator game has been found to be very sensitive to extending their choice set so that they can also take from recipients. To reduce this choice-set effect, we make the game less abstract by permitting potential recipients to opt out of it. Across four treatments, we vary whether taking is permitted and whether recipients can opt out of the game. Results suggest that while the choice-set effect is replicated when recipients cannot opt out, it plays less of a role when recipients enter the game voluntarily. We rule out a competing reciprocity-based explanation for this result, and conclude that the modified opt-in dictator game may provide a less sensitive measure of other-regarding preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Diya Abraham & Ondrej Krcal, 2026. "Dictator Giving When Recipients Can Opt Out," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2026-06, Department of Economics, University of Reading.
    • Handle: RePEc:rdg:emxxdp:em-dp2026-06
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    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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