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Preferences, Intentions, and Expectations: A Large-Scale Experiment with a Representative Subject Pool

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  • Bellemare, Charles

    (Université Laval)

  • Kröger, Sabine

    (Université Laval)

  • van Soest, Arthur

    (Tilburg University)

Abstract

We specify and estimate an econometric model which separately identifies distributional preferences and the effects of perceived intentions on responder behavior in the ultimatum game. We allow the effects of perceived intentions to depend, among other things, on the subjective probabilities responders attach to the possible offers. We estimate the model on a large representative sample from the Dutch population. We find that the relative importance of distributional preferences and perceived intentions depends significantly on the socioeconomic characteristics of responders. Strong inequity aversion to the other player’s disadvantage is found for lower educated and older respondents. Responders tend to punish unfavorable offers more if they expect that fair proposals will occur with higher probability.

Suggested Citation

  • Bellemare, Charles & Kröger, Sabine & van Soest, Arthur, 2007. "Preferences, Intentions, and Expectations: A Large-Scale Experiment with a Representative Subject Pool," IZA Discussion Papers 3022, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp3022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ernst Fehr, 2009. "On The Economics and Biology of Trust," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 7(2-3), pages 235-266, 04-05.
    2. Fehr, Ernst & Schmidt, Klaus M., 2010. "On inequity aversion: A reply to Binmore and Shaked," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(1), pages 101-108, January.
    3. Eckel, Catherine & Gintis, Herbert, 2010. "Blaming the messenger: Notes on the current state of experimental economics," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(1), pages 109-119, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    intentions; subjective expectations; inequity aversion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations

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