Theories of Fairness and Reciprocity - Evidence and Economic Applications

Klaus Schmidt and Ernst Fehr

No 2703, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Most economic models are based on the self-interest hypothesis that assumes that all people are exclusively motivated by their material self-interest. In recent years experimental economists have gathered overwhelming evidence that systematically refutes the self-interest hypothesis and suggests that many people are strongly motivated by concerns for fairness and reciprocity. Moreover, several theoretical Papers have been written showing that the observed phenomena can be explained in a rigorous and tractable manner. These theories in turn induced a new wave of experimental research offering additional exciting insights into the nature of preferences and into the relative performance of competing theories of fairness. The purpose of this Paper is to review these recent developments, to point out open questions, and to suggest avenues for future research.

Keywords: Behavioural economics; Fairness; Reciprocity; altruism; Experiments; Incentives; Contracts; Competition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C70 C90 D0 J30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001-02
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (84)

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Working Paper: Theories of Fairness and Reciprocity – Evidence and Economic Applications (2000)
Working Paper: Theories of Fairness and Reciprocity - Evidence and Economic Applications
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