Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/282061 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
Discussion Paper No. 369
Publisher: 
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Collaborative Research Center Transregio 190 - Rationality and Competition, München und Berlin
Abstract: 
Does social recognition motivate prosocial individuals? We run large-scale experiments at Italy's main blood donors association, testing social recognition in social media and peer groups. We experimentally disentangle visibility concerns and peer comparisons, and study how exposure to different social norms affects giving. In three studies, we find that a simple ask to donate is at least as effective as offering social recognition. A survey experiment with blood donors indicates that social recognition backfires when offered to people that are already perceived as good citizens. Our results suggest that increasing visibility of good actions can backfire when perceived as image-seeking.
Subjects: 
prosocial behavior
blood donations
social recognition
natural field experiment
social media
WhatsApp
JEL: 
C93
D91
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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