Work

Personal identity: a theoretical and experimental analysis

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: This paper aims to analyze the role of personal identity in altruism. To this end, it starts by reviewing critically the growing literature on economics and identity. Considering the ambiguities that the concept of social identity poses, our proposal focuses on the concept of personal identity. A formal model to study how personal identity enters in individuals' utility function when facing a dictator game decision is then presented. Finally, this ‘identity-based’ utility function is studied experimentally. The experiment allows us to study the main parameters of the model, suggesting that we should move with caution when attributing identities to individuals.

Source: Journal of Economic Methodology

DOI: 10.1080/13501781003792670

Authors: Fernando Aguiar, Pablo Brañas-Garza, Maria Paz Espinosa, Luis M. Miller

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados, Universidad de Granada, University of the Basque Country

Language: English

Topic: Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1580515351

FWCI: 10.08

Cites: 44

Cited by: 30

Related to: 10