People Playing Games: The Human Face of Experimental Economics (Presidential Address)

19 Pages Posted: 17 May 2011

Date Written: April 1, 2007

Abstract

Experiments can be used not only to test theory but also to measure preferences and assess heterogeneity of behavior. I discuss the design of experimental measures of ahruism and trust, as well as their uses in assessing how behavior varies across individuals, and across partners that a given individual might encounter. Experiments show that women are more altruistic than men. The appearance of a partner substantially impacts trust and trustworthiness, in part through the association of attractiveness and skin tone with expectations about a partner's behavior.

JEL Classification: C9, J15, J16, J7

Suggested Citation

Eckel, Catherine C., People Playing Games: The Human Face of Experimental Economics (Presidential Address) (April 1, 2007). Southern Economic Journal, Vol. 73, No. 4, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1843406

Catherine C. Eckel (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University ( email )

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

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