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Intergroup Revenge: A Laboratory Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • David Hugh-Jones

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Martin Alois Leroch

    (Center of Conflict Resolution)

Abstract

Several everyday examples imply that humans reciprocate not only towards direct perpetrators, but also to entire groups, thereby potentially affecting innocent bystanders. We test the hypothesis that people are predisposed to reciprocate against groups. In a laboratory experiment, subjects who were helped or harmed by another player’s action reacted by helping or harming another member of that player’s group. This group reciprocity was only observed when one group was seen as unfairly advantaged. Thus, activation of group reciprocity may be a causal mechanism that links perceived injustice to intergroup conflict. We discuss the relevance of group reciprocity to political and economic phenomena including violence, discrimination and team competition.

Suggested Citation

  • David Hugh-Jones & Martin Alois Leroch, 2017. "Intergroup Revenge: A Laboratory Experiment," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 117-135, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:homoec:v:34:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s41412-017-0049-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s41412-017-0049-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Experiment; Intergroup revenge; Fairness; Group identity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions

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