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Anti-Social Behavior in Groups

Author

Listed:
  • Bauer, Michal

    (Charles University, Prague)

  • Cahlíková, Jana

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Celik Katreniak, Dagmara

    (National Research University)

  • Chytilová, Julie

    (Charles University, Prague)

  • Cingl, Lubomir

    (University of Economics Prague)

  • Želinský, Tomáš

    (Technical University of Košice)

Abstract

This paper provides strong evidence supporting the long-standing speculation that decision-making in groups has a dark side, by magnifying the prevalence of anti-social behavior towards outsiders. A large-scale experiment implemented in Slovakia and Uganda (N=2,309) reveals that deciding in a group with randomly assigned peers increases the prevalence of anti-social behavior that reduces everyone's payoff but which improves the relative position of own group. The effects are driven by the influence of a group context on individual behavior, rather than by group deliberation. The observed patterns are strikingly similar on both continents.

Suggested Citation

  • Bauer, Michal & Cahlíková, Jana & Celik Katreniak, Dagmara & Chytilová, Julie & Cingl, Lubomir & Želinský, Tomáš, 2018. "Anti-Social Behavior in Groups," IZA Discussion Papers 11944, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11944
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ingvild Almås & Maximilian Auffhammer & Tessa Bold & Ian Bolliger & Aluma Dembo & Solomon M. Hsiang & Shuhei Kitamura & Edward Miguel & Robert Pickmans, 2019. "Destructive Behavior, Judgment, and Economic Decision-making under Thermal Stress," NBER Working Papers 25785, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Bauer, Michal & Chytilová, Julie & Miguel, Edward, 2020. "Using survey questions to measure preferences: Lessons from an experimental validation in Kenya," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    3. Sanjaya, Muhammad Ryan, 2023. "Antisocial behavior in experiments: What have we learned from the past two decades?," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(1), pages 104-115.
    4. Berggren, Niclas & Nilsson, Therese, 2021. "Economic freedom and antisemitism," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(2), pages 289-304, April.
    5. Islam, Asad & Mahanta, Ratul & Mandal, Raju & Nath, Hiranya K. & Ouch, Chandarany & Sarkar, Dipanwita, 2023. "Long-term impact of exposure to violent conflict: Are there gender differences?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 120-139.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    aggressive competitiveness; antisocial behavior; group decision-making; group membership; group conflict;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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