Strategic behavior and learning in repeated voluntary-contribution experiments

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

Voluntary contribution experiments systematically find that contributions decline over time. We use a two-stage voluntary contribution game to investigate whether this decrease is caused by learning or strategic behavior. Using a strategy method we find a robust pattern of declining contributions: contributions in stage 2 are 45 percent lower than in stage 1. Repeating the game five times we find that experience generates a smaller decline in contributions: stage 1 contributions decrease by around 7 percent per game. Finally we find no significant differences between the strategy and direct-response method, which suggests that our results help explain behavior in the latter.

Object Details

• Extent: Seite(n): 782-793
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Postprint; begutachtet (peer reviewed)

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 67(3-4)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Sozialwissenschaften, Soziologie ; Psychologie ; Allgemeine Psychologie ; Erhebungstechniken und Analysetechniken der Sozialwissenschaften ; Experiment

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Muller, Laurent ; Sefton, Martin ; Steinberg, Richard ; Vesterlund, Lise
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (when): 2008

Further information

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2007.09.001
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-263127
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:27 PM CEST