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Do Women Behave Less or More Prosocially than Men?

Evidence from Two Field Experiments

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Massachusetts

The behavior of others and the price of giving are two important determinants of contributions to public goods. Using two field experiments, this article tests whether men and women differ in their reactions to either a change in the average behavior of the group or a change in the price of giving, that is, a contribution-matching mechanism. The results of the field experiments show that men and women do not differ in their reactions to a matching mechanism. However, substantial gender differences can be detected with respect to social comparison. Men tend to align their behavior with the average behavior of the group, whereas women seem to be insensitive to information about group behavior.

Key Words: field experiment • gender • charitable giving • matching mechanism • social comparison

Public Finance Review, Vol. 35, No. 2, 215-232 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1091142106291488


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