Volunteers and Pseudo-Volunteers: The Effect of Recruitment Method on Subjects’ Behavior in Experiments

Abstract

We report the results of experiments that test for behavioral differences between volunteer subjects recruited in the usual way and pseudo-volunteer subjects in experiments conducted during class time. In a series of dictator games, we find that pseudo-volunteers are more generous on average than their volunteer counterparts, and that non-monetary factors such as religious or altruistic preferences have a greater effect on the giving behavior of pseudo-volunteers.

Keywords: experimental methodology, dictator game, charitable giving