Social image, observer identity, and crowding up

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Asulin, Yamit; Heller, Yuval; Munichor, Nira; Zultan, Ro'i
• 署名单位: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Bar Ilan University
• 刊物名称: GAMES AND ECONOMIC BEHAVIOR
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0899-8256
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2025.04.003
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 37-54
• 关键词: Social image; Social distance; field experiment; Crowding up; prosocial behavior

摘要

People behave more pro-socially when observed by others. We develop a theoretical model incorporating social distance between agent and observer and test its predictions in a field experiment with 670 high-school students. The experiment manipulated the observer's identity (friend, acquaintance, or none) and capped personal rewards. Observability increased effort, and personal rewards enhanced above-threshold effort when effort was observable. Among young adolescents, these effects were stronger when observed by an acquaintance rather than a friend. While partly exploratory, our findings suggest a positive correlation between social distance and social-image effects.