...Stephen Leider, Markus M. Möbius, Tanya Rosenblat, Quoc-Anh Do DIRECTED ALTRUISM AND ENFORCED RECIPROCITY IN SOCIAL NETWORKS The Quarterly Journal of Economics, November 2009 Lana Shifrina Groups in Economic Decision-Making Jingjing Zhang 14.05.12 The authors of the paper choose a real world social network (Facebook) to conduct a prosocial behavioral experiment. The motivation behind the experiment is to expand on the previous studies, examining peoplesʼ underlying altruism vs. granting favors in exchange for expected future returns. The authors observe that measuring underlying altruism empirically is quite difficult because people tend to socialize within their social circles and the decisions they make are based on feelings toward individuals within these circles and not on the true nature of the decision maker. In order to overcome these prejudices, the authors believe that this experiment was designed in such a way, that the personal favoritism can be removed and individualsʼ baseline altruism can then be measured. The real world application and the goal of the experiment is to help economists better explain disturbances within systems of informal insurance, provided by social networks, and to predict the necessary measures required to stabilize the system. The paper identifies three natures of prosocial giving: “(1) baseline altruism toward randomly selected strangers, (2) directed altruism that favors friends over random strangers, and (3) giving motivated by...
Words: 1364 - Pages: 6
...The Effects of Emotions caused by Video Priming on Altruism among randomly selected Far Eastern University students Kristine Bernadette Batusbatusan John Rovic Guides Christine Joie Macauba Maria Carmela Orfanel Far Eastern University Abstract This study focuses on the effects of emotions caused by video priming on altruism. The experimenters want to know if there is a significant effect between emotions and altruism. Some related articles were gathered and one study by Over H. and Carpenter M. (2009-10) showed that priming by photographs evoking affiliations actually increase altruism for toddlers. The experimenters want to prove the same for emotions but this time, taking into account funny and annoying videos to prime necessary emotions. Subjects were randomly selected and divided into two experimental groups. A group watched a funny video individually and the other group watched an annoying video individually. The experimenter then accidentally dropped a cup filled with marbles after the subject finished watching and observed whether the subject will help or not. A Helping Attitude Scale test was given afterwards. Results were obtained and suggested that emotions caused by video priming has nosignificant effect on the level of altruism of an individual. Explanations for this was gathered and it came out that the subjects, regardless of the videos, did what they felt to do whether to help the experimenter or not. The emotions they felt after watching the video did...
Words: 3587 - Pages: 15
...the Wreckage: Estimating Spousal Altruism with Data on Fatal Car Accidents Ilya Beylin, Anup Malani, and David Abrams1 Abstract. This paper estimates the degree of altruism among spouses by examining how often the driver of a car sacrifices himself or herself in order to save a spouse. Holding constant the magnitude of a collision, a driver can maneuver the car to distribute the risk from a collision between the driver and a passenger. We quantify spousal altruism by the degree to which drivers riding with their spouse redistribute the risk from a fatal accident to themselves – as measured by ex post mortality – as compared to drivers not traveling with their spouse. We find that drivers with their spouses are at least 37% more likely to sacrifice themselves. This implies that they value the lives of their spouses at least 37% more than the lives of other individuals. A driver’s position in a car provides him with exclusive control over the pedals and steering wheel. At the time of an impending accident, this control enables him to adjust the total amount of risk facing the car’s occupants and how that risk is distributed. In other words, his maneuvers will have allocative and distributive effects on the occupants’ risk. The driver’s distributive choices reveal his relative preferences for himself over his passengers. The manifestation of injuries amongst the occupants allows observation of those relative preferences. A theory of spousal altruism – indeed any romantic notion of...
Words: 8576 - Pages: 35
...Abstract The debate over whether moral sentiments should be included in normative economic analysis offers the arguments that inclusion is unnecessary as results are the same, that inclusion can result in double counting and will result in acceptance of projects that fail to pass a potential compensation test. I show that these arguments are unpersuasive or incorrect. Instead the inclusion of moral sentiments has potential to improve normative analysis. This is illustrated by comparing the standard criteria for benefit cost analysis (Kaldor-Hicks) that does not include moral sentiments with a modification (KHZ) that does. KHZ dominates KH even by the principles of KH itself. JEL Codes: Q20, D6, D63, D64 I. Introduction The practical criteria for economic efficiency, the Kaldor-Hicks (KH) criteria, have existed for over sixty years, without the profession fully facing the issue of whether or not moral sentiments should be included in normative economic analysis. In part this is due to historical reasons, in part to normal inertia associated with any academic discipline, in part because of the recent interest in moral sentiments in the form of existence values and in part because of objections raised to inclusion of moral sentiments. This paper concerns two issues. The first is whether or not it is desirable to include moral sentiments in welfare analysis. The answer to this question will depend in part on the answer to the second question, which...
Words: 11004 - Pages: 45
...Issue Analysis: Pro-Social Behavior Psych. 555 April 29, 2013 Dr. Anthony Issue Analysis: Pro-social Behavior Human kindness has been studied for centuries and spawned debates over the reasons behind exhibiting kindness and the lack of it. Pro-social behaviors are those behaviors that involve helping another person; ulterior motives may or may not play a part. Altruism is a pro-social behavior in which helping behavior occurs with no indication of personal benefit. According to Fiske (2010), “altruism describes a motive that makes people help because of genuine concern for others, to increase the welfare of others,” (p. 347). A person acts altruistically when he or she feels empathy for another person and assumes responsibility for helping. Another concept of helping is Egotistic helping, that is the idea that the primary motivator is to decrease one’s own distress and places the decreasing another’s distress as the secondary motivator (Nier, 2009). The existence of true altruism has been a topic of longstanding debate in social psychology. Nier (2009) has provided information concerning both sides of this debate (Nier, 2009). Batson (et. Al, 1981) supports the concept of true altruism stating that individuals help others simply out of a desire to do so. This help earns the individual no reward. The opposing side is presented by Cialdini (et. Al, 1987) concludes that when individuals offer aid to others, they are doing so for a personal gain of some kind. The articles...
Words: 1099 - Pages: 5
...In this dissertation moral capacity is considered to be a spandrel, the byproduct of natural selection. The first chapter of this doctoral dissertation deals with conceptual issues of the biological and psychological interpretations of egoism (selfishness) and altruism, and then, in the second step, it relates altruism to morality. To be more precise, it relates altruism to moral capacity which includes moral behavior, forming and maintaining moral beliefs, and moral judgments. The main subjects of the second chapter are the evolution of altruism and cooperation and the related problem of the units of selection. I critically examine the standard models for the evolution of altruism: group selection, gene’s eye view, kin selection (with remarks...
Words: 788 - Pages: 4
...strengths, limitations, meaning and significance. Research is critiqued to provide knowledge, improve practice and provide essential data for conducting further studies. The aim of this assignment is to critique a chosen piece of nursing research, to analyse the rigor and validity using a critical framework as guidelines. Although, many critical frameworks exist, the one to be utilised in this assignment shall be Benton and Cormack's framework (1996). Using the systematic headings within the chosen frameworks will help to facilitate the understanding and preparation for the journal article to be critiqued (see appendix 1). The article to be critiqued is located in the Journal of Advanced Nursing (2007) which evaluates the valuing of altruism in nursing students (Johnson, Haigh and Yates-Bolton (2007). Benton and Cormack's framework is initiated by looking at the following; Title The details or the vagueness within the title alone can decide whether the research report is read or not suggested Parahoo (1997). When the author examines the subject matter which shall be appraised in this instance, it is evident that the title is informative with the first part explaining the research which has been conducted and the second part clearly indicating the type of research methods used, however the word 'study' is used in the title which overall is misleading as Johnson et al (2007) conducted a survey not a study. Author(s) There are three authors who participated...
Words: 2959 - Pages: 12
...Organization Citizenship Behavior For Organizational Performance BUS2010 Organizational Behavior Term Members Section 2 Group 5 Date of Submit: 29th April 2013 Date of Presentation: 17th May 2013 CONTENTS PAGE ✓ Introduction……………………………………………………………………….…1 ✓ Low Organizational Citizenship Behavior for Organizational Performance…….….2 ✓ Excessive Organizational Citizenship Behavior for Organizational Performance….4 ✓ Suitable Organizational Citizenship Behavior for Organizational Performance ...…6 ✓ Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….…10 Recommendations……………………………………………………...…..…11 ✓ Group Learning Refluences………………………………………………………….11 ✓ References LIST OF ILLUSTRATUIBS TABLE PAGE 1. Ordinary Least Squares Regression Parameter Estimates for Work Crew OCBs on Quantity and Quality…………………………………………9 Introduction Nowadays, the growing number of companies and researches have focused on and had the argument about the organization citizenship behavior for the organizational performance, especially the way of organization citizenship behavior affecting organizational performance. Some of them believe it in an easy way that the more attention is paid on organization citizenship...
Words: 3272 - Pages: 14
...(Warren 2015: 6-7) Warren goes on with her analysis of Plumwood's critique of deep ecology and says that the second controversial feature of deep ecology is about the principle of "self-realization, which claims that the human self (small 's') is actualized only when it becomes merged with the cosmos, a Self (capital 'S')." (Warren 2015: 7) Plumwood believes that is principle is flawed because it preserves "the discontinuity thesis" – the thesis that there is a clear division between what is natural and what is cultural...
Words: 1104 - Pages: 5
...Golden rule of ethics is known to be a customary benefit in many cultures and central to many religious customs. In better terms it is the concept of being altruistic. As a refresher, having the will to help others without any selfish intentions is referred to as altruism. A person gives no thought of the situation; they only act in terms of helping. No harm is done. There is a long history in the logical and ethical understanding of altruism. However for social psychologists, it has become a major concern. It does not seem to mean that there are any moral obligations for helping others. Instead it is more of a feeling; trustworthiness verse duty. Trustworthiness being altruism—help just to help; and as for duty meaning that one is morally...
Words: 1249 - Pages: 5
...Humans are capable of displaying many behaviours in the different situations they find themselves or see others in. In society, many people have come across situations where help is needed, and proceed to help, even if they do not know who the other person is. This is prosocial behaviour – any behaviour with the intention of helping or benefitting others. A subgroup of prosocial behaviour is altruism, which is helping others with some sort of risk to yourself (such as time, or getting hurt) and not seeking personal gains or rewards (Carter and Grivas, 2005). There is no definite purpose of altruism, but evolutionists theorize that it relates to helping others to preserve our genes. However, altruism doesn’t just occur spontaneously; the action of helping others without any self-benefit only takes place under certain circumstances. The cost-benefit analysis is when the helper considers the cost (such as their own personal health or time) and benefit (feeling good about themself for helping people) of doing and not doing the behaviour. They will usually be more likely to proceed with the behaviour when the benefit outweighs the cost. Another factor affecting helping behaviour could be personal influences such as feelings and mood. If the person feels guilty for not doing something, they will most likely do whatever it takes to be able to restore a positive view from others and reduce our own personal guilt. When someone is in a happy mood, they are more likely to help others...
Words: 820 - Pages: 4
...Psychology Department, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York 13346; email: John.Dovidio@UConn.edu Jane A. Piliavin Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706; email: jpiliavi@ssc.wisc.edu David A. Schroeder University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701; email: dave@uark.edu Key Words altruism, cooperation, helping ■ Abstract Current research on prosocial behavior covers a broad and diverse range of phenomena. We argue that this large research literature can be best organized and understood from a multilevel perspective. We identify three levels of analysis of prosocial behavior: (a) the “meso” level—the study of helper-recipient dyads in the context of a specific situation; (b) the micro level—the study of the origins of prosocial tendencies and the sources of variation in these tendencies; and (c) the macro level—the study of prosocial actions that occur within the context of groups and large organizations. We present research at each level and discuss similarities and differences across levels. Finally, we consider ways in which theory and research at these three levels of analysis...
Words: 14699 - Pages: 59
...humans hurt one another? aggression is a fundamental social motive * The role of learning and modelling people become violent by watching violence, if children see a lot of aggression they become aggressive which is called social learning accounts * Bandura argued (1980) children come into the world who are innocent and their learning from parents, siblings, television and they conducted the BoBo doll experiment sat them behind the window watching an adult bashing this doll and playing and some adults were very violent and others were gentle and the children were then allowed to do whatever they wanted with the doll the children who saw the adults aggressive with the doll mimicked such * Greitemeyer and mugged (2014) meta analysis of 98 studies of 37,000 people, found significant, positive relationship between violent video games and aggressive behaviour Social learning problems * Doesn’t explain the origins of human violence * Why have humans behaved aggressively throughout history and across cultures? * Why are humans attracted to violence, even though they fear it * Is human aggression learned (social learning) or instinctive or both? “instinctive” accounts * Aggression as instinct: * Darwin-aggression functions to assert power and dominance * Threat and appeasement displays Freud and Lorenz * Freud the ‘death’ instinct hurt people they love * Lorenz- “on aggression” proposed a “fighting instinct” * Aggression...
Words: 1214 - Pages: 5
...1 THE ECONOMIC MOTIVES FOR CHILD ALLOWANCES: ALTRUISM, EXCHANGE OR VALUE OF INDEPENDENCE? Lisa Farrell*, Paul Frijters** and Michael A. Shields* * Department of Economics, University of Melbourne, Australia ** Tinbergen Institute, Free University Amsterdam, Netherlands August 2002 (preliminary draft) Abstract This paper looks inside the “black box” of the family and examines the determinants of inter vivos transfers in the form of allowances given to children. We consider in a simple model two main competing explanations for the transfer of money from parents to children in the form of regular allowances, namely altruism and exchange. We also extend the altruism framework to include unobserved child heterogeneity in monetary autonomy or the 'value of independence'. We use a unique dataset drawn from the British Family Expenditure Survey, which enables us to explicitly test both the inter-generational predictions of the various models, and through a study of siblings, we are also able to consider the intra-household aspects of such payments. Using both random (inter-household) and fixed-effect (intra-household) estimators, we find robust evidence of an nshape relationship between a child's external income and the receipt of allowances from parents. Importantly, this estimated profile does not fit the predications of simple models of altruism or exchange, but does fit an altruism model with unobserved heterogeneity. Further support for the importance of the value of independence...
Words: 9532 - Pages: 39
...Faith Holloway Dr Justin Sytsma PHIL 105 May 5 2014 Critical Analysis of Psychological Egoism Psychological egoism, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy (2010), entails that each person has but one ultimate aim: her own welfare. This essay will explore the meaning of psychological egoism, how arguments can be justifiably presented and why this theory is commonly appealing to philosophers. Often supporters of psychological egoism will present arguments through theories such as Darwinism and Desire Satisfaction. This essay essentially aims to critically assess the substantiality of these arguments. In order to correctly assess the arguments in favour of psychological egoism, firstly it must be stated what is implied by these arguments. Psychological egoism has many differences to other egoist theories such as ethical egoism, which state we should be selfish. Psychological egoism however states that all human actions are uncontrollably selfish, and that this is part of our human nature. It should be noted before continuing that this essay will be assessing this more radical form of psychological egoism , which identifies that ‘selfishness is’ the only way one can possibly performs actions, disregarding any consideration of others unless this aids their selfish action in some way. Psychological egoism can seem plausible to its supporters for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include the concept that desires are entirely our own and therefore pursuing...
Words: 2289 - Pages: 10
