Social Communication and Discrimination: A Video Experiment

Ben Greiner, Werner Güth () and Ro'i Zultan

No 2010-038, Jena Economics Research Papers from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena

Abstract: We report on an experiment using video technology to manipulate pre-play communication protocols in the lab and to study purely social effects of communication on donations and discrimination between potential receivers. The experimental design eliminates strategic factors by allowing two receivers to unilaterally communicate with an anonymous dictator before the latter decides on her gifts. Through the use of three communication setups (none, audio, and audio-visual) we show and analyze the existence of purely social effects of communication. We find that a silent channel leads to discrimination between potential receivers based on impression formation, but does not affect average levels of donations. When the auditory channel is added, average donations increase. The social processes invoked are heterogeneous and communicator- specific but not unsystematic.

Keywords: bargaining; communication; discrimination; n-person dictator game; video experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C91 D64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-06-23
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo, nep-exp, nep-gth and nep-ict
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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https://oweb.b67.uni-jena.de/Papers/jerp2010/wp_2010_038.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Social communication and discrimination: a video experiment (2012)
Working Paper: Let the Dummy Talk! - Unilateral Communication and Discrimination in Three-Person Dictator Experiments - (2005)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2010-038

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