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Volunteers and Pseudo-Volunteers: The Effect of Recruitment Method in Dictator Experiments

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Abstract

We report the results of experiments that test for behavioral differences between volunteer subjects recruited in the usual way and pseudo-volunteer subjects in experiments conducted during class time. In a series of dictator games, we find that psuedo-volunteers are more generous on average than their volunteer counterparts, and that non-monetary factors such as religious or altruistic preferences have a greater effect on the giving behavior of pseudo-volunteers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Catherine C. Eckel

  2. Department of Economics, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, 56301-4498, USA

    Philip J. Grossman

Authors
  1. Catherine C. Eckel
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  2. Philip J. Grossman
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Eckel, C.C., Grossman, P.J. Volunteers and Pseudo-Volunteers: The Effect of Recruitment Method in Dictator Experiments. Experimental Economics 3, 107–120 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026572918109

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026572918109

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