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Measurement of Social Status in Experimental Games

Author

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  • Bondarenko, O.

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia)

  • Zakharov, A.

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

The majority of social and economic interactions take place between people of different social status. Age, position, income and other factors affect the way people evaluate their position in the society. We investigate how self-estimation of the social status is formed when an individual participates in an economic experimental game. In our experiment subjects are set in pairs and play consequently the dictator game, the trust game and the labor market (contract) game. After each game we measure their subjective socioeconomic status using two different scales. We show that participation in the dictator game affects the perception of one's social status to the greatest extent: the status of dictators is higher than the status of recipients. Prescription of roles in other games does not have such an effect. Active behavior, gender, income, etc. also affect the subjective status.

Suggested Citation

  • Bondarenko, O. & Zakharov, A., 2018. "Measurement of Social Status in Experimental Games," Journal of the New Economic Association, New Economic Association, vol. 38(2), pages 12-47.
    • Handle: RePEc:nea:journl:y:2018:i:38:p:12-47
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zakharov, Alexei & Bondarenko, Oxana, 2021. "Social status and social learning," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 90(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social status; game theory; dictator game; group behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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