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The Formation of Prosociality: Causal Evidence on the Role of Social Environment

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  • Kosse, Fabian
  • Deckers, Thomas
  • Pinger, Pia
  • Schildberg-Hoerisch, Hannah
  • Falk, Armin

Abstract

This study presents evidence on the role of social environment for the formation of prosociality. We show that socioeconomic status (SES) as well as intensity of mother-child interaction and mothers' prosocial attitudes are related to elementary school children's prosociality. We also present evidence on a randomly assigned variation of the social environment, providing children with a mentor for 1 year. Our data reveal a significant and persistent increase in prosociality in the treatment relative to the control group. Moreover, enriching the social environment closes the prosociality gap between low- and high-SES children. A mediation analysis suggests that prosociality develops in response to prosocial role models and intense social interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Kosse, Fabian & Deckers, Thomas & Pinger, Pia & Schildberg-Hoerisch, Hannah & Falk, Armin, 2020. "The Formation of Prosociality: Causal Evidence on the Role of Social Environment," Munich Reprints in Economics 84772, University of Munich, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenar:84772
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    JEL classification:

    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General

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