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Error Prone Inference from Response Time: The Case of Intuitive Generosity in Public-Good Games

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Abstract
Higher contributions by fast decision-makers in public-good games may not resultfrom greater generosity but from mistakes. In several public-good games we vary the location ofthe unique dominant strategy equilibrium. In games with interior equilibria the correlationbetween response time and contributions is negative when the equilibrium lies below themidpoint of the strategy space, but positive when it lies above the midpoint. Fast decisionmakersare also found less generous in simple constant-return public-good games with a fullprovisionequilibrium. In all investigated public-good games fast decision-makers are largelyinsensitive to incentives and more often make mistakes.1

Suggested Citation

  • Lise Vesterlund, 2015. "Error Prone Inference from Response Time: The Case of Intuitive Generosity in Public-Good Games," Working Paper 5662, Department of Economics, University of Pittsburgh.
    • Handle: RePEc:pit:wpaper:5662
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    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles

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