Review of Behavioral Economics > Vol 2 > Issue 4

More Than Outcomes: The Role of Self-Image in Other-Regarding Behavior

Astrid Matthey, Max Planck Institute of Economics, Jena, Germany, Tobias Regner, University of Jena, Germany, tobias.regner@uni-jena.de
 
Suggested Citation
Astrid Matthey and Tobias Regner (2015), "More Than Outcomes: The Role of Self-Image in Other-Regarding Behavior", Review of Behavioral Economics: Vol. 2: No. 4, pp 353-378. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/105.00000038

Publication Date: 30 Dec 2015
© 2015 A. Matthey and T. Regner
 
Subjects
Economic Theory: Game Theory,  Economic Theory: Microeconomic Theory
 
Keywords
C72C91D03D80
Social preferenceOther-regarding behaviorSelf-imageCognitive dissonanceSocial norms
 

Share

Download article
In this article:
1. Introduction 
2. Experiment 
3. Results 
4. Conclusion 
References 

Abstract

We conduct a modified dictator game in order to analyze the role self-image concerns play in other-regarding behavior. While we generally follow Konow (2000), a cognitive dissonance-based model of other-regarding behavior in dictator games, we relax one of its assumptions as we allow for individual heterogeneity among individuals’ standards of behavior. Subjects’ self-image, their belief regarding the average socially appropriate behavior of others and our proxies for the cognitive dissonance costs are positively correlated with the dictator game choices.We also find that subjects whose choices involve two psychologically inconsistent cognitions indeed report higher levels of experienced conflict and take more time for their decisions (our proxies for cognitive dissonance).

DOI:10.1561/105.00000038