Differential calculus: the impact of group norms, social values and identity on altruism
Abstract
In this study, we played the dictator game with more than 1,200 nursing students and economics students in three low- and middle-income countries: Kenya, South Africa and Thailand. We found significant differences in altruistic behaviours between subject pools, with nursing students being more altruistic dictators than economics students, and systematic differences across countries. Dictators? generosity increased with the perceived deservingness of the recipient, but the sense of moral obligation varied across subject pools in unexpected ways. Our results caution against generalising experimental results based on standard subject pools, and originating from specific contexts.
Citation
Lagarde, M.; Blaauw, D.; Smith, R. Differential calculus: the impact of group norms,social values and identity on altruism. (2011) 30 pp.
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