Generosity Across Contexts

44 Pages Posted: 10 Apr 2015

See all articles by Alexander L. Davis

Alexander L. Davis

Carnegie Mellon University

Nadja Jehli

University of Zurich

John H. Miller

Carnegie Mellon University - Department of Social and Decision Sciences

Roberto A. Weber

University of Zurich - Department of Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: March 31, 2015

Abstract

Extensive research in economics explores generosity in monetary allocations. However, generosity often involves the allocation of non-monetary goods or experiences. Existing evidence suggests that generosity may be higher in such contexts, though no direct comparison exists. Here, we compare generosity in decisions that vary whether allocations are monetary or non-monetary. In two experiments, generosity is significantly higher in non-monetary contexts. Thus, the typical monetary laboratory dictator game may underestimate generosity in many non-laboratory contexts where allocations are non-monetary. We find weaker relationships between individuals’ allocation decisions across monetary and non-monetary contexts than for allocations that hold constant the monetary nature of the context.

Keywords: altruism, generosity, non-monetary, harm, experiment

JEL Classification: D030, D640, C910

Suggested Citation

Davis, Alexander L. and Jehli, Nadja and Miller, John H. and Weber, Roberto A., Generosity Across Contexts (March 31, 2015). CESifo Working Paper Series No. 5272, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2592357 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2592357

Alexander L. Davis

Carnegie Mellon University ( email )

Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
United States

Nadja Jehli

University of Zurich ( email )

Rämistrasse 71
Zürich, CH-8006
Switzerland

John H. Miller

Carnegie Mellon University - Department of Social and Decision Sciences ( email )

Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
United States
412-268-3229 (Phone)
412-268-6938 (Fax)

Roberto A. Weber (Contact Author)

University of Zurich - Department of Economics ( email )

Zuerich, 8006
Switzerland

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute) ( email )

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

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