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Explaining Public Goods Game Contributions with Rational Ability

Author

Listed:
  • Hannes Lang

    (School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Alte Akademie 12, 85354 Freising, Germany)

  • Gregory DeAngelo

    (Department of Economics, 1601 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA)

  • Michelle Bongard

    (RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Ave #600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA)

Abstract

As the link between psychology and economics has grown, so too has research on the link between personality traits and economic behavior. We build on this previous work, bringing to light the relationship between personality traits and contributions in a one-shot public goods game. We find that contributions to the public good are smaller for rational participants as measured by the Rational-Experiential Inventory—revised 40 (REI-40) item scale. We find no effect on contributions for the measures of the Big Five personality traits or the remaining measures from the REI-40.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannes Lang & Gregory DeAngelo & Michelle Bongard, 2018. "Explaining Public Goods Game Contributions with Rational Ability," Games, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgames:v:9:y:2018:i:2:p:36-:d:151665
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    References listed on IDEAS

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