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The development of social preferences

Author

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  • Cobo–Reyes, Ramon
  • Dominguez, Jose J.
  • García–Quero, Fernando
  • Grosskopf, Brit
  • Lacomba, Juan A.
  • Lagos, Francisco
  • Liu, Tracy Xiao
  • Pearce, Graeme

Abstract

This paper examines how social preferences develop with age. This is done using a range of mini-dictator games from which we classify 665 subjects into a variety of behavioural types. We expand on previous developmental studies of pro-sociality and parochialism by analysing individuals aged 9–67, and by employing a cross country study where participants from Spain interact with participants from different ethnic groups (Arab, East Asian, Black and White) belonging to different countries (Morocco, China, Senegal and Spain). We identify a ‘U-shaped’ relationship between age and egalitarianism that had previously gone unnoticed, and appeared linear. An inverse “U-shaped” relationship is found to be true for altruism. A gender differential is found to emerge in teenage years, with females becoming less altruistic but more egalitarian than males. In contrast to the majority of previous economic studies of the development of social preferences, we report evidence of increased altruism, and decreased egalitarianism and spite expressed towards black individuals from Senegal.

Suggested Citation

  • Cobo–Reyes, Ramon & Dominguez, Jose J. & García–Quero, Fernando & Grosskopf, Brit & Lacomba, Juan A. & Lagos, Francisco & Liu, Tracy Xiao & Pearce, Graeme, 2020. "The development of social preferences," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 653-666.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:179:y:2020:i:c:p:653-666
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2019.01.018
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    3. Vojtěch Bartoš & Ian Levely & Vojtech Bartos, 2023. "Measuring Social Preferences in Developing Economies," CESifo Working Paper Series 10744, CESifo.
    4. Isabelle Brocas & Juan Carrillo, 2022. "The centipede game at school: does developing backward induction logic drive behavior?," Artefactual Field Experiments 00761, The Field Experiments Website.
    5. Brocas, Isabelle & Carrillo, Juan D., 2022. "Adverse selection and contingent reasoning in preadolescents and teenagers," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 331-351.

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