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Doing bad to look good: Negative consequences of image concerns on pro-socal behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Ivan Sorrapera
  • Anton Suvorov

    (HSE - Vysšaja škola èkonomiki = National Research University Higher School of Economics [Moscow])

  • Jeroen van de Ven

    (ASE - Amsterdam School of Economics - UvA - University of Amsterdam [Amsterdam] = Universiteit van Amsterdam)

  • Marie Claire Villeval

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract
Several studies show that social image concerns stimulate pro-social behavior. We study a setting in which there is uncertainty about which action is pro-social. Then, the quest for a better social image can potentially con flict with genuinely pro-social behavior. This confl ict can induce \bad" behavior, where people lower both their own and others' material payoffs to preserve a good image. This setting is relevant for various types of credence goods. For example, recommending an inexpensive treatment reduces the expert's profits and may not satisfy the true needs of the client, but is generally good for the expert's image (as it signals the lack of greed). We test experimentally if people start to act bad in order to look good. We find that people care about their social image, but social image concerns alone do not induce them to act bad. That is, without future interactions, social image concerns do not lead to bad behavior. However, with future interactions, where building up a good image has instrumental value (reputational concerns), we do find evidence of bad behavior in the short run to secure higher earnings in the long run.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan Sorrapera & Anton Suvorov & Jeroen van de Ven & Marie Claire Villeval, 2019. "Doing bad to look good: Negative consequences of image concerns on pro-socal behavior," Post-Print halshs-02368407, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02368407
    DOI: 10.3917/reco.706.0945
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02368407v1
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    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Kandul, Serhiy & Lanz, Bruno & Reins, Evert, 2023. "Reciprocity and gift exchange in markets for credence goods," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 52-69.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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