Measuring the Welfare Effects of Shame and Prides

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Butera, Luigi; Metcalfe, Robert; Morrison, William; Taubinsky, Dmitry
• 署名单位: Copenhagen Business School; University of Southern California; National Bureau of Economic Research; University of California System; University of California Berkeley
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.20190433
• 发表日期: 2022
• 页码: 122-168
• 关键词: image motivation; field experiment; Social pressure; incentives; NORMS; work; ECONOMICS; BEHAVIOR; Nudges; awards

摘要

Public recognition is frequently used to motivate desirable behavior, yet its welfare effects-such as costs of shame or gains from pride are rarely measured. We develop a portable empirical methodology for measuring and monetizing social image utility, and we deploy it in experiments on exercise and charitable behavior. In all experiments, public recognition motivates desirable behavior but creates highly unequal image payoffs. High-performing individuals enjoy significant utility gains, while low-performing individuals incur significant utility losses. We estimate structural models of social signaling, and we use the models to explore the social efficiency of public recognition policies.