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Expectations do not affect punishment

Author

Listed:
  • Lucas C. Coffman

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

Expectations-based reference dependence has been shown to be important across a variety of contexts in Psychology and Economics. Do expectations play a role in moral judgment? The higher our beliefs are relative to an outcome, do we punish more harshly? This paper reports a series of experiments investigating the hypothesis that expectations as reference points per se affect punishment. The experimental design varies the expectation the Punisher holds just before she learns what actually occurred. In tandem with the manipulation, expectations are shown to vary significantly and substantially. However, punishment does not respond to these exogenous changes in expectations. After 17 sessions, 295 Punishers, and six experimental setups, expectations are shown not to affect punishment in any systematic way.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucas C. Coffman, 2019. "Expectations do not affect punishment," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 5(2), pages 182-196, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:5:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s40881-019-00079-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-019-00079-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Experiments; Reference dependence; Expectations; Punishment; Morality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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