Altruism, equity, and reciprocity in a gift-exchange experiment: an encompassing approach

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Charness, G; Haruvy, E
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California Santa Barbara; Technion Israel Institute of Technology
• 刊物名称: GAMES AND ECONOMIC BEHAVIOR
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0899-8256
• DOI: 10.1016/S0899-8256(02)00006-4
• 发表日期: 2002
• 页码: 203-231
• 关键词: Altruism; experiment; equity; fairness; inequality aversion; RECIPROCITY

摘要

Considerable experimental evidence suggests that non-pecuniary motives must be addressed when modeling behavior in economic contexts. Recent theories of nonpecuniary motives can be classified as altruism-, equity-, or reciprocity-based. We outline the qualitative differences in prediction these alternative explanations yield in a gift-exchange game. We estimate and compare leading approaches in these categories, using. experimental data. We then offer a flexible approach that nests the above three approaches, thereby allowing for nested hypothesis testing and for determining the relative strength of each of the competing theories. In addition, the encompassing approach provides a functional form for utility in different settings without the restrictive nature of the approaches nested within it. Using this flexible form for nested tests, we find that intentional reciprocity, distributive concerns, and altruistic considerations all play a significant role in players' decisions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.