What Determines Giving to Hurricane Katrina Victims? Experimental Evidence on Racial Group Loyalty

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2009
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Pages: 64-87

Authors (2)

Christina M. Fong (not in RePEc) Erzo F. P. Luttmer (Dartmouth College)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We investigate the role of racial group loyalty on generosity in a broadly representative sample of the US adult population. We use an audiovisual presentation to manipulate beliefs about the race, income, and worthiness of Hurricane Katrina victims. Respondents then decide how to divide $100 between themselves and Katrina victims. We find no effects of victims' race on giving on average. However, respondents who report feeling close to their racial or ethnic group give substantially more when victims are of the same race, while respondents who do not feel close to their group give substantially less. (JEL D64, J15, Q54)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:1:y:2009:i:2:p:64-87
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25