Pro-Social Behavior, Reciprocity or Both?

Frey, Bruno S.; Meier, Stephan

doi:10.2139/ssrn.303901

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Pro-Social Behavior, Reciprocity or Both?

45 Pages Posted: 13 Mar 2002

See all articles by Bruno S. Frey

Stephan Meier

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management; Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: July 2002

Abstract

Empirical evidence is provided for the importance of non-reciprocal pro-social behavior of individuals in an anonymous, n-person pure public good setting. A unique panel data set of 136,000 observations is matched with an extensive survey. Even under anonymous conditions, a large number of individuals are prepared to donate quite a significant sum of money. Cooperation conditional on giving by specific other persons (reciprocity) is present, but the causal relationship is ambiguous. The manner in which one is asked to donate is crucial. Identification with the organization is also important.

Keywords: Public Goods, Pro-social behavior, Reciprocity, Donation

JEL Classification: H41, D64, Z13

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Frey, Bruno S. and Meier, Stephan, Pro-Social Behavior, Reciprocity or Both? (July 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=303901 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.303901