The 1/d Law of Giving

B-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Microeconomics
Year: 2010
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Pages: 183-203

Authors (5)

Jacob K. Goeree (UNSW Sydney) Margaret A. McConnell (not in RePEc) Tiffany Mitchell (not in RePEc) Tracey Tromp (not in RePEc) Leeat Yariv (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.402 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We combine survey data on friendship networks and individual characteristics with experimental observations from dictator games. Dictator offers are primarily explained by social distance, giving follows a simple inverse distance law. While student demographics play a minor role in explaining offer amounts, individual heterogeneity is important for network formation. In particular, we detect significant homophilous behavior; students connect to others similar to themselves. Moreover, the network data reveal a strong preference for cliques, students connect to those already close. The study is one of the first to identify network architecture with individual behavior in a strategic context. (JEL D44, H82)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejmic:v:2:y:2010:i:1:p:183-203
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25