Payment Choice, Image Motivation and Contributions to Charity: Evidence from a Field Experiment

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2011
Volume: 3
Issue: 1
Pages: 180-205

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of payment choice on charitable giving with a door-to-door fund-raising field experiment. Respondents can donate cash only, use debit only, or have both options. Cash donations have lower visibility vis-à-vis solicitors than debit card donations. When debit replaces cash, participation drops by 87 percent. Conditional on participation, donors in the Debit-only treatment give more than donors in Cash-only. In Cash&Debit, almost all donors prefer cash; participation decreases compared to Cash-only. Physical attractiveness of both female and male solicitors increases contributions. Solicitor self-confidence has a negative impact. (JEL D14, D64, L31)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:3:y:2011:i:1:p:180-205
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29