American Economic Review
ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)
Group Identity and Social Preferences
American Economic Review
(pp. 431–57)
Abstract
We present a laboratory experiment that measures the effects of induced group identity on social preferences. We find that when participants are matched with an ingroup member, they show a 47 percent increase in charity concerns and a 93 percent decrease in envy. Likewise, participants are 19 percent more likely to reward an ingroup match for good behavior, but 13 percent less likely to punish an ingroup match for misbehavior. Furthermore, participants are significantly more likely to choose social-welfare-maximizing actions when matched with an ingroup member. All results are consistent with the hypothesis that participants are more altruistic toward an ingroup match. (JEL C91, D03, Z13)Citation
Chen, Yan, and Sherry Xin Li. 2009. "Group Identity and Social Preferences." American Economic Review 99 (1): 431–57. DOI: 10.1257/aer.99.1.431Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C91 Design of Experiments: Laboratory, Individual
- D91 Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
- Z13 Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology