Hurting hurts more than Helping helps: The Role of the Self-serving Bias

Theo Offerman ()
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Theo Offerman: University of Amsterdam

No 99-018/1, Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers from Tinbergen Institute

Abstract: This paper investigates an implication of the self-serving bias for reciprocalresponses. It is hypothesized that negative intentionality matters more thanpositive intentionality for reciprocating individuals with a self-servingattributional style. Experimental evidence obtained in the hot response gamesupports this prediction. Subjects are 67% more likely to reciprocate anintentional hurtful choice over an unintentional hurtful choice. Subjects areonly 25% more likely to reciprocate an intentional helpful choice over anunintentional helpful choice. The evidence on the intermediating role ofemotions is consistent with the explanation offered by the self-serving bias.

Keywords: reciprocity; intentionality; self-serving bias; experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C70 C92 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1999-03-09
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tin:wpaper:19990018

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