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Thou shalt not steal: Taking aversion with legal property claims

Author

Listed:
  • Faillio, Marco
  • Rizzolli, Matteo
  • Tontrup, Stephan

Abstract

Some recent experimental literature on the taking game (a variation of the dictator game) suggests that human subjects may generally be taking averse, implying that the moral cost of taking exceeds the moral cost of not giving. In our experiment, our subjects could decide to take tangible objects (lottery scratchcards) brought from outside the lab and thus legally owned by other subjects. This legal treatment was compared with a more standard one where subjects earned their scratchcards inside the lab. Evidence is provided of a (weak) taking aversion that is greater when property is established inside the lab via an effort task than when it is pre-existing and legally enforceable outside the lab.

Suggested Citation

  • Faillio, Marco & Rizzolli, Matteo & Tontrup, Stephan, 2019. "Thou shalt not steal: Taking aversion with legal property claims," EconStor Preprints 335578, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esprep:335578
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3500945
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tontrup, Stephan & Arlen, Jennifer & Sprigman, Christopher Jon, 2025. "Behavioral Self-Management and the Strategic Shifting of Fairness Norms," EconStor Preprints 335552, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.

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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
    • P14 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Property Rights
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights

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