Download This PaperA Survey of Economic Theories and Field Evidence on Pro-Social Behavior
41 Pages Posted: 14 Jul 2006
Date Written: January 2006
Abstract
In recent years, a large number of economic theories have evolved to explain people's pro-social behavior and the variation in their respective behavior. This paper surveys economic theories on pro-social behavior and presents evidence - mainly from the field - testing these theories. In addition, the survey emphasizes that institutional environment might significantly interact with pro-social preferences and explain some of the variation in observed pro-social behavior.
JEL Classification: D64, C93, H41, D01
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Meier, Stephan, A Survey of Economic Theories and Field Evidence on Pro-Social Behavior (January 2006). FRB of Boston Working Paper No. 06-6, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=917187 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.917187
Stephan Meier (Contact Author)
Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management ( email )
3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States
IZA Institute of Labor Economics
P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany