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Andreas Bergh. Photo.

Andreas Bergh

Senior lecturer

Andreas Bergh. Photo.

Mine or ours? Unintended framing effects in dictator games

Author

  • Andreas Bergh
  • Philipp C. Wichardt

Summary, in English

This paper reports results from a classroom dictator game comparing the effects of three different sets of standard instructions. The results show that seemingly small and typically unreported differences in standard instructions induce different perceptions regarding entitlement and ownership of the money to be distributed, and that these perceptions influence behaviour. Less is given when the task is described as a task of generosity and more when the task is a task of distribution (average 35% vs. 52%). The results can contribute to explaining the large variation in dictator game giving reported in the literature and show that even small and unreported differences in instructions change how the game is perceived. JEL codes: C70; C91; D63

Department/s

  • Department of Economics
  • Centre for Economic Demography

Publishing year

2022

Language

English

Pages

78-95

Publication/Series

Rationality and Society

Volume

34

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Topic

  • Economics

Keywords

  • dictator games
  • framing effects
  • property rights
  • social preferences

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1043-4631