Hey Look at Me: The Effect of Giving Circles on Giving

23 Pages Posted: 31 Jan 2012

See all articles by Dean S. Karlan

Dean S. Karlan

Yale University; Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management; Innovations for Poverty Action; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Margaret McConnell

Harvard University

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 2012

Abstract

Theories abound for why individuals give to charity. We conduct a field experiment with donors to a Yale University service club to test the impact of a promise of public recognition on giving. Some may claim that they respond to an offer of public recognition not to improve their social standing, but rather to motivate others to give. To tease apart these two theories, we conduct a laboratory experiment with undergraduates, and found no evidence to support the alternative, altruistic motivation. We conclude that charitable gifts increase in response to the promise of public recognition primarily because of individuals' desire to improve their social image.

Keywords: experiments, prosocial behavior, social image, voluntary contributions

JEL Classification: C90, D64, L30

Suggested Citation

Karlan, Dean S. and Karlan, Dean S. and McConnell, Margaret, Hey Look at Me: The Effect of Giving Circles on Giving (January 2012). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP8785, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1995968

Dean S. Karlan (Contact Author)

Yale University ( email )

Box 208269
New Haven, CT 06520-8269
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Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
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Innovations for Poverty Action ( email )

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

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United Kingdom

Margaret McConnell

Harvard University ( email )

1875 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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