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

摘要

We conduct a natural ?eld experiment on direct and indirect transfer mechanisms for small donations. Charitable contributions are signi?cantly 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 signi?cantly higher under both transfer mechanisms if people are given a suggested reference donation.