Give more tomorrow: Two field experiments on altruism and intertemporal choice

Anna Breman

Journal of Public Economics, 2011, vol. 95, issue 11, 1349-1357

Abstract: This paper conducts two natural field experiments to test inter-temporal choices in charitable giving by varying the timing of commitment and payment. Monthly donors were asked to increase their contributions (1) immediately, (2) in one month, (3) in two months. The results are consistent between the two field experiments; first, mean increases in donations are significantly higher when donors are asked to commit to future donations. Second, follow-up data shows that the treatment effect is persistent, making the strategy highly profitable to the charity. Finally, I provide evidence of heterogeneity in the response to different time lags, indicating differences in inter-temporal choices among donors.

Keywords: Altruism; Intertemporal choice; Field experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 D91 L31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (56)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:95:y:2011:i:11:p:1349-1357

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2011.05.004

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