Can intentions spoil the kindness of a gift? - An experimental study

Strassmair, Christina (20. March 2009): Can intentions spoil the kindness of a gift? - An experimental study. Discussion Papers in Economics 2009-4

Abstract

Consider a situation where person A undertakes a costly action that benefits person B. This behavior seems altruistic. However, if A expects a reward in return from B, then A's action may be motivated by the expected rewards rather than by pure altruism. The question we address in this experimental study is how B reacts to the intentions of A. We vary the probability, with which the second mover in a trust game can reciprocate, and analyze effects on second mover behavior. Our results suggest that the perceived kindness and its rewards are not spoiled by expected rewards.

• Item Type: Paper
• Form of publication: Preprint
• Keywords: social preferences, intentions, beliefs, psychological game theory, experiment
• Faculties: Economics; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics > Micro-Economics; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics > Behavioral Economics
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology; 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
• JEL Classification: D02, C91, D64
• Language: English