Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/235467 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 9097
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
In multiple pre-registered experiments, we examine the effect of sequences of positive and negative experiences on altruism, trust, trustworthiness, and cooperation. For non-social experiences, we find no effect on subsequent behavior in any of these social domains. However, when experiences are social in nature, we find more cooperation after gains than after losses. For neutral experiences with gains equalizing losses, we find no evidence for a differential effect of experiences irrespective of whether the experience is social or not. Our findings are in line with recent evidence on decision making under risk, showing that the effect of prior experiences depends on task similarity. Beyond that, we extend these findings to various forms of social decision making. Our results suggest that the overall valence of an experience (gain or loss) matters, whereas its dynamic trend (improving or deteriorating) does not.
Subjects: 
altruism
cooperativeness
sequential decisions
trust
JEL: 
C72
C91
D80
D90
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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