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Between Joy and Sympathy: Smiling and Sad Recipient Faces Increase Prosocial Behavior in the Dictator Game

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  • Martin Weiß

    (Translational Social Neuroscience Unit, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychoso-matic and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Grit Hein

    (Translational Social Neuroscience Unit, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychoso-matic and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany)

  • Johannes Hewig

    (Department of Psychology I: Differential Psychology, Personality Psychology and Psychological Diagnostics, Institute of Psychology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany)

Abstract

In human interactions, the facial expression of a bargaining partner may contain relevant information that affects prosocial decisions. We were interested in whether facial expressions of the recipient in the dictator game influence dictators’ behavior. To test this, we conducted an online study ( n = 106) based on a modified version of a dictator game. The dictators allocated money between themselves and another person (recipient), who had no possibility to respond to the dictator. Importantly, before the allocation decision, the dictator was presented with the facial expression of the recipient (angry, disgusted, sad, smiling, or neutral). The results showed that dictators sent more money to recipients with sad or smiling facial expressions and less to recipients with angry or disgusted facial expressions compared with a neutral facial expression. Moreover, based on the sequential analysis of the decision and the interaction partner in the preceding trial, we found that decision-making depends upon previous interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Weiß & Grit Hein & Johannes Hewig, 2021. "Between Joy and Sympathy: Smiling and Sad Recipient Faces Increase Prosocial Behavior in the Dictator Game," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6172-:d:570426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Ning & Fan, Xing & He, LiFeng & Cheng, Xin & Zhang, Liang & Liu, Rong, 2024. "The impact of the Seller's facial image on consumer purchase behavior in peer-to-peer accommodation platforms," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).

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