Religious Identity and Economic Behavior

A-Tier
Journal: Review of Economics and Statistics
Year: 2016
Volume: 98
Issue: 4
Pages: 617-637

Authors (3)

Daniel J. Benjamin (University of Southern Califor...) James J. Choi (not in RePEc) Geoffrey Fisher (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We find using laboratory experiments that primes that make religion salient cause subjects to identify more with their religion and affect their economic choices. The effect on choices varies by religion. For example, priming causes Protestants to increase contributions to public goods, whereas Catholics decrease contributions to public goods, expect others to contribute less to public goods, and become less risk averse. A simple model implies that priming effects reveal the sign of the marginal impact of religious norms on preferences. We find no evidence of religious priming effects on disutility of work effort, discount rates, or dictator game generosity.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:tpr:restat:v:98:y:2016:i:4:p:617-637
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24