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People Playing Games: The Human Face of Experimental Economics

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  • Catherine C. Eckel

Abstract

Experiments can be used not only to test theory but also to measure preferences and assess heterogeneity of behavior. I discuss the design of experimental measures of altruism and trust, as well as their uses in assessing how behavior varies across individuals, and across partners that a given individual might encounter. Experiments show that women are more altruistic than men. The appearance of a partner substantially impacts trust and trustworthiness, in part through the association of attractiveness and skin tone with expectations about a partner's behavior.

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  • Catherine C. Eckel, 2007. "People Playing Games: The Human Face of Experimental Economics," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 73(4), pages 840-857, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:73:y:2007:i:4:p:840-857
    DOI: 10.1002/j.2325-8012.2007.tb00807.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Natalia Candelo & Angela C. M. Oliveira & Catherine Eckel, 2023. "Trust among the poor: African Americans trust their neighbors, but are less trusting of public officials," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 196(3), pages 427-452, September.

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