On the Channels of Pro-Social Behavior Evidence from a natural field experiment

Abstract

We conduct a natural field experiment on direct and indirect transfer mechanisms for small donations. Charitable contributions are significantly higher if made indirectly, i.e. if they are tied to the purchase of a good sold at a premium, than if they are made directly. Donations are signficantly higher under both transfer mechanisms if people are given a suggested reference donatioTied versus untied transfers, charitable donations, charity, willingness to give, pro social behavior