Experiments on norm focusing and losses in dictator games.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Level 2 by design analogy (randomized behavioral experiment)
PubMed 36091094 · doi:10.3389/fsoc.2022.930976
What was done
Researchers conducted experimental tests of norm focusing using two versions of an incentivized dictator game where dictators allocated either a €10 gain or a €-10 loss. Participants were assigned to treatments that focused them on either the average giving behavior in similar previous games or the behavior expected of a self-interested actor. The experiments evaluated a total of N = 550 participants.
What was found
The abstract reports statistical significance and directions of effect without numerical point estimates, standard errors, or effect sizes: - A statistically significant difference occurred between gain and loss domains, with subjects acting moderately more self-interestedly when allocating losses. - Focusing subjects on the average behavior of others produced a statistically significant effect on giving. - Focusing subjects on the behavior of a self-interested actor showed no significant effect.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that highlighting empirical social norms guides allocation behavior more effectively than priming self-interest, and shows that individuals behave less generously when distributing losses compared to gains.
Limits
The abstract provides no numerical figures, standard deviations, confidence intervals, or p-values. It does not describe the participant demographics (e.g., student subject pool vs. general population), the experimental environment (laboratory vs. online), or whether these artificial game framing effects transfer to naturalistic sharing contexts.
Cited by
- supports In behavioral economic experiments where participants are given money and asked to split it with a stranger, people typically give away between 30% and 50% rather than keeping all of it.