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Theft, Gift-Giving, and Reciprocity: A South African Experiment

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  • Clinton J. Pecenka
  • Godfrey Kundhlande

Abstract

This paper uses a taking game to examine how South African subjects alter the amount they choose to 'steal' in response to a resource transfer from the potential victim. Any positive resource transfer significantly reduces the amount taken. 'Small' transfers reduce a victim's total losses, including the transfer and the subsequent 'theft'. Larger transfers increase a victim's total losses. This study failed to find that differences in the frame of a transfer (i.e. gift, as a bribe, or as a payment) influenced a taker's response to the transfer.

Suggested Citation

  • Clinton J. Pecenka & Godfrey Kundhlande, 2014. "Theft, Gift-Giving, and Reciprocity: A South African Experiment," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(11), pages 1467-1481, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:50:y:2014:i:11:p:1467-1481
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2014.925540
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    6. Uri Gneezy & John A List, 2006. "Putting Behavioral Economics to Work: Testing for Gift Exchange in Labor Markets Using Field Experiments," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 74(5), pages 1365-1384, September.
    7. Clinton J. Pecenka & Godfrey Kundhlande, 2013. "Theft in South Africa: An Experiment to Examine the Influence of Racial Identity and Inequality," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(5), pages 737-753, May.
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