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Priming past experiences and preferences for redistribution

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffrey Cross

    (Hamilton College)

  • Stephen Wu

    (Hamilton College)

  • Wei Zhan

    (Hamilton College)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of priming people to think about negative past experiences such as job loss or illness on attitudes towards redistribution. Using a randomly assigned survey design, we find that the effects of being primed to think about past misfortunes on support for redistribution vary by gender. Being cued to think about negative past experiences increases sympathy for governmental redistribution for male respondents, but not for non-males. For non-male respondents, past misfortunes increase support for redistribution even when not primed. Psychological research suggests that this could be due to gender-based differences in how events are remembered or processed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey Cross & Stephen Wu & Wei Zhan, 2023. "Priming past experiences and preferences for redistribution," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 43(1), pages 53-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-22-00554
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    11. Ryan W. Buell & Taly Reich & Michael I. Norton, 2014. ""Last-Place Aversion": Evidence and Redistributive Implications," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 129(1), pages 105-149.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    redistribution; priming; experiment; misfortune; attitudes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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