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Motives to give in economics and psychology: A step toward unification

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  • Ottoni-Wilhelm, Mark
  • Vesterlund, Lise

Abstract

Parallel literatures in economics and psychology investigate why people voluntarily help others in need. Economics has investigated an other-regarding motive (altruism) and a self-regarding motive (warm-glow) and has used choice-based observations for inference. Psychology has similarly examined other- and self-regarding motives and has developed survey-based measurements to assess corresponding measures of empathic concern and a moral principle of care. This paper explores whether and how elicitation of charitable motives from economics relate to measurements from psychology. We find that when making donations to others in need, individuals with stronger empathic concern dispositions are more altruistic/other-regarding. Also, those who more strongly endorse a moral principle of care are more motivated by warm-glow/self-regard. The results connect two literatures, offer novel evidence from economics about theories developed in psychology, and demonstrate that well-developed survey questions from psychology can be predictive of the choice-based inference on altruistic and warm-glow motivations from economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Ottoni-Wilhelm, Mark & Vesterlund, Lise, 2023. "Motives to give in economics and psychology: A step toward unification," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 354-365.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:216:y:2023:i:c:p:354-365
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.09.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Charitable giving; Donations; Contributions; Altruism; Warm glow; Empathy; Moral principles; Care;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers

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