Religious Identity and Economic Behavior

Daniel Benjamin, James Choi and Geoffrey Fisher
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Geoffrey Fisher: Cornell University

The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2016, vol. 98, issue 4, 617-637

Abstract: We find using laboratory experiments that primes that make religion salient cause subjects to identify more with their religion and affect their economic choices. The effect on choices varies by religion. For example, priming causes Protestants to increase contributions to public goods, whereas Catholics decrease contributions to public goods, expect others to contribute less to public goods, and become less risk averse. A simple model implies that priming effects reveal the sign of the marginal impact of religious norms on preferences. We find no evidence of religious priming effects on disutility of work effort, discount rates, or dictator game generosity.

Keywords: religion; identity; gift exchange; public goods; dictator game (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 C92 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (134)

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Working Paper: Religious Identity and Economic Behavior (2010)
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