Religious Identity and Economic Behavior

• 成果类型: Review
• 署名作者: Benjamin, Daniel J.; Choi, James J.; Fisher, Geoffrey
• 署名单位: University of Southern California; National Bureau of Economic Research; Yale University; Cornell University
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/REST_a_00586
• 发表日期: 2016-10
• 页码: 617-637
• 关键词: higher discount rates; social identity; public-goods; delayed rewards; RISK; preferences; beliefs; people; IMPACT; COMMITMENT

摘要

We find using laboratory experiments that primes that make religion salient cause subjects to identify more with their religion and affect their economic choices. The effect on choices varies by religion. For example, priming causes Protestants to increase contributions to public goods, whereas Catholics decrease contributions to public goods, expect others to contribute less to public goods, and become less risk averse. A simple model implies that priming effects reveal the sign of the marginal impact of religious norms on preferences. We find no evidence of religious priming effects on disutility of work effort, discount rates, or dictator game generosity.