Divine restraint: An experimental analysis of religious preference and intertemporal discounting

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics
Year: 2017
Volume: 67
Issue: C
Pages: 99-110

Authors (3)

Thornton, Jeremy (Samford University) McCarty, Sara Helms (not in RePEc) Stokes, Charles E. (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

The propensity to delay gratification, measured by the discount rate, is associated with a variety of positive outcomes including higher rates of education and savings, as well as lower rates of poverty or addiction. There is a significant literature which supports a linkage between religion and self-regulation. We use an online experimental approach to test the influence of religious salience on intertemporal discount rates. The experiment used both real and hypothetical rewards in its design. Using a large sample, we are able to test the impact of religious primes across a variety of religious traditions as well as the non-religious. Contrary to previous studies, we do not find evidence that increased religious salience increases observed discount rates. Furthermore, we find no significant difference in the impact of religious salience across religious groups.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:soceco:v:67:y:2017:i:c:p:99-110
Journal Field
Experimental
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29