Other-Regarding Behavior: Theories and Evidence

Joint with: Nicola Persico

We use field data on traffic behavior to test and refine existing models of "other-regarding behavior" that is, behavior that meets social or civic obligations despite the lack of material incentives to do so. We find that existing models relying on methodological individualism fail to match the data. Models of social norms appear to have greater promise. Our ultimate goal is to develop mathematical theories that take as inputs only the material features of an environment, and predict when we should expect people to exhibit other-regarding behavior.

For more information, contact Petra Todd.