Representative Trust and Reciprocity : Prevalence and Determinants
Journal
Economic Inquiry
ISSN
0095-2583
ISSN-Digital
1465-7295
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2008-01-01
Author(s)
Dohmen, Thomas
;
Falk, Armin
;
Huffman, David
;
Sunde, Uwe
Abstract
This paper provides evidence about the determinants of trust and reciprocal inclinations, that is, a tendency for people to respond in kind to hostile or kind actions, in a representative setting. We investigate the prevalence of reciprocity in the population, the correlation between trust and positive and negative reciprocal inclinations within person, the individual determinants of reciprocity, and the relationship with psychological measures of personality. We find that most people state reciprocal inclinations, in particular in terms of positive reciprocity, as well as substantial heterogeneity in the degree of trust and reciprocity. Trust and positive reciprocity are only weakly correlated, while trust and negative reciprocity exhibit a negative correlation. In terms of determinants, being female and increasing age are associated with stronger positive and weaker negative reciprocal tendencies. Taller people are more positively reciprocal, but height has no impact on negative reciprocity. Psychological traits also affect trust and reciprocity.
Language
English
Keywords
economics
reciprocity
psychological measures of personality
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Blackwell
Publisher place
Malden, Mass.
Volume
46
Number
1
Start page
84
End page
90
Pages
7
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
51568