Incentivization matters: a meta-perspective on dictator games

Philip D. Grech (), Heinrich H. Nax () and Adrian Soos
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Philip D. Grech: ETH Zurich
Heinrich H. Nax: ETH Zurich
Adrian Soos: ETH Zurich

Journal of the Economic Science Association, 2022, vol. 8, issue 1, No 3, 34-44

Abstract: Abstract Dictator game experiments come in three flavors: plain vanilla with strictly dichotomous separation of dictator and recipient roles, an interactive alternative whereby every subject acts in both roles, and a variant thereof with role uncertainty. We add information regarding which of these three protocols was used to data from the leading meta-study by Engel (Exp Econ 14(4):583–610, 2011) and investigate how these variations matter. Our meta-regressions suggest that interactive protocols with role duality compared with standard protocols, in addition to being relevant as a control for other effects, render subjects’ giving less generous but more efficiency-oriented. Our results help organize existing findings in the field and indicate sources of confounds.

Keywords: Dictator game; Experiments; Meta Study; Methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C24 C91 D03 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s40881-022-00120-4

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