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Blame and Praise: Responsibility Attribution Patterns in Decision Chains

Author

Listed:
  • Regina Anselm
  • Deepti Bhatia
  • Urs Fischbacher
  • Jan Hausfeld

Abstract

How do people attribute responsibility when an outcome is not caused by a single person but results from a decision chain involving several people? We study this question in an experiment, in which five voters sequentially decide on how to distribute money between them and five recipients. The recipients can reward or punish each voter, which measures responsibility attribution. In the aggregate, we find that responsibility is attributed mostly according to the voters’ choices and the pivotality of the decision, but not for being the initial voter. On the individual level, we find substantial heterogeneity with three overall patterns: Little to no responsibility attribution, pivotality-driven, and focus on choices. These patterns are similar when praising voters for good outcomes and blaming voters for bad outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Regina Anselm & Deepti Bhatia & Urs Fischbacher & Jan Hausfeld, 2022. "Blame and Praise: Responsibility Attribution Patterns in Decision Chains," TWI Research Paper Series 126, Thurgauer Wirtschaftsinstitut, Universität Konstanz.
    • Handle: RePEc:twi:respas:0126
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Responsibility Attribution; Collective Decision-Making; Voting; Decision Process;
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