The Relative Price of Fairness: Gender Differences in a Punishment Game

16 Pages Posted: 11 Jul 2011

See all articles by Catherine C. Eckel

Catherine C. Eckel

Texas A&M University

Philip J. Grossman

Monash University - Department of Economics

Date Written: August 1, 1996

Abstract

Ideas of fairness influence economic transactions. Men and women may differ systematically in the nature and extent of this influence. We investigate gender differences in the impact of fairness on the outcome of economic transactions. In our “punishment game” subjects may choose to split a larger pie with a “bad” partner, or a smaller pie with a “good” partner. We find that a higher relative price for fairness reduces its effect on the outcome of the transaction for women, but not for men. Our interpretation of this result is that men are more likely than women to make decisions on principle.

Keywords: Fairness, Gender, Dictator game

JEL Classification: C91, A13

Suggested Citation

Eckel, Catherine C. and Grossman, Philip J., The Relative Price of Fairness: Gender Differences in a Punishment Game (August 1, 1996). Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Vol. 30, No. 2, p. 143, 1996, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1883605

Catherine C. Eckel (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University ( email )

5201 University Blvd.
College Station, TX 77843-4228
United States

Philip J. Grossman

Monash University - Department of Economics ( email )

Wellington Road
Clayton, 3800
Australia
61399020052 (Phone)

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