Selfish-rational non-vaccination: Experimental evidence from an interactive vaccination game

Robert Böhm, Cornelia Betsch and Lars Korn

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2016, vol. 131, issue PB, 183-195

Abstract: This paper provides an experimental game model – the Interactive Vaccination (I-Vax) Game – in order to investigate the behavioral consequences of risks from disease and from vaccination, and the epidemiological interdependence of vaccination decisions. Results from a controlled laboratory experiment provide evidence for selfish-rational non-vaccination: individuals react to the interactive incentive structure and make strategic vaccination decisions. We also find support for additional psychological factors determining behavior: individuals with stronger positive other-regarding preferences are more likely to vaccinate. Moreover, costs from action (vaccine-adverse events) have a stronger impact on behavior than costs from inaction (disease), which is evidence for the omission bias. Overall, we suggest that variants of the I-Vax Game can contribute to a better understanding of vaccination behavior and vaccine hesitancy. It can further be a useful experimental tool for testing interventions aiming at increasing vaccine uptake.

Keywords: Vaccination; Health behavior; Experiment; Social dilemma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C7 C9 D7 H4 I1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:131:y:2016:i:pb:p:183-195

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2015.11.008

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