Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/35995 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4624
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Within-subject data from sequential social dilemma experiments reveal a correlation of first-and second-mover decisions for which two channels may be responsible, that our experiment allows to separate: i) a direct, preference-based channel that influences both first- and second-mover decisions; ii) an indirect channel, where second-mover decisions influence beliefs via a consensus effect, and the first-mover decision is a best response to these beliefs. We find strong evidence for the indirect channel: beliefs about second-mover cooperation are biased toward own second-mover behavior, and most subjects best respond to stated beliefs. But when first movers know the true probability of second-mover cooperation, subjects' own second moves still have predictive power regarding their first moves, suggesting that the direct channel also plays a role.
Subjects: 
Experimental economics
consensus effect
social dilemmas
JEL: 
C72
C90
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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