Selfless Giving

Cognition, Forthcoming

31 Pages Posted: 31 Jul 2013

See all articles by Daniel M. Bartels

Daniel M. Bartels

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

Trevor H. Kvaran

University of Arizona - Department of Psychology

Shaun Nichols

University of Arizona

Date Written: July 30, 2013

Abstract

In four studies, we show that people who anticipate more personal change over time give more to others. We measure and manipulate participants’ beliefs in the persistence of the defining psychological features of a person (e.g., his or her beliefs, values, and life goals) and measure generosity, finding support for the hypothesis in three studies using incentive-compatible charitable donation decisions and one involving hypothetical choices about sharing with loved ones.

Keywords: Decision making, Altruism, Intertemporal choice, Social behavior, Self-Interest, Generosity, Psychological connectedness, Personal identity, Morality, Values, Ethics

Suggested Citation

Bartels, Daniel M. and Kvaran, Trevor H. and Nichols, Shaun, Selfless Giving (July 30, 2013). Cognition, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2303881 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2303881

Daniel M. Bartels (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business ( email )

5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

Trevor H. Kvaran

University of Arizona - Department of Psychology ( email )

1503 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Shaun Nichols

University of Arizona

Department of History
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

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