The impact of downward social information on contribution decisions

摘要: In this paper we study the effect of downward social information in contribution decisions to fund public goods. We describe results a field experiment run conjunction with fundraising campaigns radio station. Renewing members are presented (information about another donor’s contribution) which is either above or below their previous (last year’s) contribution. find that respondents change direction information; increasing when contribution, and decreasing below. hypothesize psychological motivations may cause test these hypotheses by comparing relative size upward shifts. These improve our understanding cooperation good provision suggest differential costs benefits fundraisers providing information.