Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/278512 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
ECONtribute Discussion Paper No. 237
Publisher: 
University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Reinhard Selten Institute (RSI), Bonn and Cologne
Abstract: 
This paper studies the dynamic effect of observability on prosocial behavior. We hypothesize a twofold positive effect. First, people should act more prosocially when being observed. Second, this increased level of prosociality should motivate an ongoing elevated altruistic attitude, in accordance with the concept of altruistic capital formation. We test our predictions running two experiments in which subjects make a first donation decision either observed or anonymously. Subsequently, all subjects face a second anonymous donation decision. In general, we observe high rates of altruistic behavior. However, we find only weak positive effects of observability on first-stage prosocial behavior and no effects on second-stage prosocial behavior.
Subjects: 
Prosocial Behavior
Donation
Moral Licensing
Altruistic Capital
Social preferences
Lab experiment
JEL: 
C91
D64
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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