Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/59163 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
Economic Growth Center Discussion Paper No. 1006
Publisher: 
Yale University, Economic Growth Center, New Haven, CT
Abstract: 
Theories abound for why individuals give to charity. We conduct a field experiment with donors to a Yale University service club to test the impact of a promise of public recognition on giving. Some may claim that they respond to an offer of public recognition not to improve their social standing, but rather to motivate others to give. To tease apart these two theories, we conduct a laboratory experiment with undergraduates, and find no evidence to support the alternative, altruistic motivation. We conclude that charitable gifts increase in response to the promise of public recognition primarily because of individuals' desire to improve their social image.
Subjects: 
prosocial behavior
experiments
voluntary contributions
social image
JEL: 
D64
C90
L30
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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