The Value of Groups

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Heap, Shaun P. Hargreaves; Zizzo, Daniel John
• 署名单位: University of East Anglia
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.99.1.295
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 295-323
• 关键词: IN-GROUP PROTOTYPICALITY; COMPETITION; DISCRIMINATION; COOPERATION; EVOLUTION; BEHAVIOR; trust; WTP

摘要

We present the results of an experiment that attempts to measure the social value of groups. In the experiment, group membership is induced artificially: subjects interact with insiders and outsiders in trust games and periodically enter markets where they can trade group membership. We find that trust falls with groups because of negative discrimination against outsiders. Against this, however, there is evidence that group membership provides a psychological benefit, albeit one that may induce social inertia. Overall, the welfare effects of groups are at best neutral and could be negative. (JEL: D17, Z13)