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Heterogeneous Agents in Public Goods Experiments

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  • Roberto Burlando
  • Francesco Guala

Abstract

We explore by purely experimental means a heterogeneous agents scenario in experimental public goods games, assuming the existence of at least three types of player: free riders, cooperators, and reciprocators. We identify the various types by means of four classification methods, and then play the public goods game with homogeneous groups. We observe that (eq1) the average contribution level is enhanced in this setting; (2) the decay phenomenon is replicated in groups of ‘pure’ free riders, whereas in groups of cooperative and reciprocating players the contribution is high and fairly stable throughout the game. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Burlando & Francesco Guala, 2005. "Heterogeneous Agents in Public Goods Experiments," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 8(1), pages 35-54, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:expeco:v:8:y:2005:i:1:p:35-54
    DOI: 10.1007/s10683-005-0436-4
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