Do Psychological Traits Explain Differences in Free Riding?

Gregory DeAngelo, Hannes Lang and Bryan McCannon
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Hannes Lang: Evolution Institute

No 16-08, Working Papers from Department of Economics, West Virginia University

Abstract: We explore the relationship between common psychological traits, such as Theory of the Mind, Rational†Experiential Inventory, and Big Five Personality styles, and willingness to contribute to public goods. Then, motivated by research that has indicated a relationship between past social interactions and cooperativeness, we consider the interaction between past game outcomes and psychological traits on free riding. We show that psychological traits of individuals have both a direct effect on free riding behavior, as well as an indirect effect as it enhances the correlation between past strategic behavior and public goods giving. Thus, the measurement tools of social psychology and management can be beneficial in understanding individual†level differences in free riding.

Keywords: Big Five; competence; experiment; free riding; personality traits; psychological traits; public goods; Rational†Experiential Inventory; risk preferences; Theory of Mind (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 43 pages
Date: 2016-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-exp and nep-net
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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