Transfers and reciprocity in overlapping generations experiments

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the development of voluntary transfers in an overlapping generations environment. By varying the information conditions of the game, we study whether the development of transfers is related to the possibility of future generations to monitor and reciprocate transfers of past generations. The results display a fairly high level of voluntary transfers across generations, even when players are experienced. Furthermore, the level of transfers does not seem to depend much on the possibility of monitoring. Weak signs of cross-generational reciprocity are observed. Apparently, the public-good features of the experiment dominate the possibilities for intertemporal rewarding and punishingSocial Security;Experimental Design;econometrics