Perceived motives and reciprocity

Yesim Orhun

Games and Economic Behavior, 2018, vol. 109, issue C, 436-451

Abstract: In reciprocal interactions, both genuine kindness and self-interested material gain may motivate socially beneficial actions. The paper presents results from two experiments that distinguish the role of perceived motives in reciprocal decision making from the role of outcomes or perceived intentions. The results indicate that positive reciprocity triggered by the same beneficial action is lower when the first-mover is more likely to be motivated by strategic incentives. Therefore, stronger incentives for beneficial behavior may not increase total welfare.

Keywords: Motives; Beliefs; Reciprocity; Intentions; Social preferences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 C92 D63 D64 D84 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:109:y:2018:i:c:p:436-451

DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2018.01.002

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