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The Role of Interpersonal Uncertainty in Prosocial Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Anujit Chakraborty

    (University of California)

  • Luca Henkel

    (University of Chicago & University of CEMA)

Abstract

In prosocial decisions, decision-makers are inherently uncertain about how their decisions impact others’ utility – we call this interpersonal uncertainty. We show that people's response to interpersonal uncertainty shapes well-known patterns of prosocial behavior. First, using standard social allocation decisions, we replicate the classic patterns of ingroup favoritism, merit-based fairness ideals, and self-favoring behavior in dictator games. We then show that these patterns also arise in non-social decisions which have no consequences for others and instead solely reflect responses to interpersonal uncertainty. Behavior across social and non-social decisions is highly correlated, and self-reported interpersonal uncertainty predicts behavior in both situations. Moreover, exogenously varying interpersonal uncertainty shifts prosocial behavior in the direction that avoids such uncertainty. Our results quantify how beliefs in the form of interpersonal uncertainty influence prosocial behavior, which we estimate to be of similar importance to social preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Anujit Chakraborty & Luca Henkel, 2024. "The Role of Interpersonal Uncertainty in Prosocial Behavior," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 327, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:327
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    File URL: https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_327_2024.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ingvild Almås & Alexander W. Cappelen & Bertil Tungodden, 2020. "Cutthroat Capitalism versus Cuddly Socialism: Are Americans More Meritocratic and Efficiency-Seeking than Scandinavians?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(5), pages 1753-1788.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Prosocial behavior; social preferences; ingroup versus outgroup decisions; dictator games; fairness preferences; interpersonal uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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