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Public Goods in the Field: Katrina Evacuees in Houston

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  • Sam Whitt
  • Rick K. Wilson

Abstract

Crises and disasters, whether natural or man‐made, are defined by conditions of uncertainty, disorder, and stress. In this research, we explore the extent to which individuals who were evacuated from New Orleans to Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina cooperated with one another in a public goods game. The study focuses on predominantly African‐American evacuees from New Orleans who were relocated to Houston‐area shelters in the weeks immediately after Hurricane Katrina. In this study, 352 evacuees participated in small groups across six different Houston evacuation shelters from September 10 through 19, 2005. The experiments reported here are adaptations of “dictator” and “public goods” experiments. We find strong evidence of group cooperation in the Houston‐area shelters.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Whitt & Rick K. Wilson, 2007. "Public Goods in the Field: Katrina Evacuees in Houston," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 74(2), pages 377-387, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:74:y:2007:i:2:p:377-387
    DOI: 10.1002/j.2325-8012.2007.tb00844.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Bahry, Donna L. & Wilson, Rick K., 2006. "Confusion or fairness in the field? Rejections in the ultimatum game under the strategy method," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 37-54, May.
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    9. Gachter, Simon & Herrmann, Benedikt & Thoni, Christian, 2004. "Trust, voluntary cooperation, and socio-economic background: survey and experimental evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 55(4), pages 505-531, December.
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