The Effect of Kinship on Intergenerational Cooperation: A Lab Experiment with Three Generations

29 Pages Posted: 4 Apr 2016

See all articles by Jose Alberto Molina

Jose Alberto Molina

University of Zaragoza - Department of Economic Analysis

Alfredo Ferrer

University of Zaragoza

José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal

University of Zaragoza

Carlos Gracia-Lazaro

University of Zaragoza

Yamir Moreno

University of Zaragoza

Angel Sanchez

University of Zaragoza

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze how kinship among family members affects intergenerational cooperation in a public good game. 165 individuals from 55 families, comprising three generations (youths, parents, and grandparents), play a public good game in three different treatments: one in which three members of the same family play each other (family), a second with the youth and two non-family members but preserving the previous generational structure (intergenerational), and a third in which three randomly-selected players play each other (random). We find that players contribute more to the public good when they play with other family members, than when they play with non-family members. This effect is present in all three generations, and is independent of the gender of the players. We also observe the significant result that older generations contribute more to the public good, relative to their children.

Keywords: intergenerational cooperation, evolutionary game theory, public goods game, kinship, social networks

JEL Classification: D03, D64, D70

Suggested Citation

Molina Chueca, Jose Alberto and Ferrer, Alfredo and Giménez-Nadal, José Ignacio and Gracia-Lazaro, Carlos and Moreno, Yamir and Sanchez, Angel, The Effect of Kinship on Intergenerational Cooperation: A Lab Experiment with Three Generations. IZA Discussion Paper No. 9842, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2757952 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2757952

Jose Alberto Molina Chueca (Contact Author)

University of Zaragoza - Department of Economic Analysis ( email )

50005 Zaragoza
Spain

Alfredo Ferrer

University of Zaragoza

Gran Via 2
Zaragoza, 50005
Spain

José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal

University of Zaragoza ( email )

Gran Via 2
Zaragoza, 50005
Spain

Carlos Gracia-Lazaro

University of Zaragoza

Gran Via 2
Zaragoza, 50005
Spain

Yamir Moreno

University of Zaragoza ( email )

Gran Via 2
Zaragoza, 50005
Spain

Angel Sanchez

University of Zaragoza

Gran Via 2
Zaragoza, 50005
Spain

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