On the prevalence of framing effects across subject-pools in a two-person cooperation game

In this experimental study, involving subjects from Abu-Dis (West Bank), Chengdu (China), Helsinki (Finland), and Jerusalem (Israel), we test for a presentation bias in a two-person cooperation game. In the positive frame of the game, a transfer creates a positive externality for the opposite player...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of economic psychology 2010-12, Vol.31 (6), p.849-859
Main Authors: Goerg, Sebastian J., Walkowitz, Gari
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bias
Biological and medical sciences
China
Cooperation
Cooperation Framing of decision problems Methodology Subject-pool differences
Decision making
Decision theory
Economic psychology
Externality
Finland
Framing of decision problems
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Game theory
International comparisons
Israel
Methodology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social psychology
Studies
Subject
Subject-pool differences
West Bank
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Summary:In this experimental study, involving subjects from Abu-Dis (West Bank), Chengdu (China), Helsinki (Finland), and Jerusalem (Israel), we test for a presentation bias in a two-person cooperation game. In the positive frame of the game, a transfer creates a positive externality for the opposite player, and in the negative frame, a negative one. Subjects in Abu-Dis and Chengdu show a substantially higher cooperation level in the positive externality treatment. In Helsinki and Jerusalem, no framing effect is observed. These findings are also reflected in associated first-order beliefs. We argue that comparisons across subject-pools might lead to only partially meaningful and opposed conclusions if only one treatment condition is evaluated. We therefore suggest a complementary application and consideration of different presentations of identical decision problems within (cross-cultural) research on subject-pool differences.
ISSN:0167-4870
1872-7719
DOI:10.1016/j.joep.2010.06.001