Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Dohmen Thomas 
Author-Name: Falk Armin 
Author-Name: Huffman David 
Author-Name: Sunde Uwe 
Author-workplace-name: ROA rm
Title: Homo Reciprocans: Survey Evidence on Behavioural Outcomes
Abstract: This paper complements the experimental literature that has shown theimportance of reciprocity for behaviour in stylized labour markets or otherdecision settings. We use individual measures of reciprocal inclinations in alarge, representative survey, and relate reciprocity to real world labour marketbehaviour and life outcomes. We find that reciprocity matters, and we find thatthe way in which it matters is very much in line with the experimental evidence.In particular, positive reciprocity is associated with receiving higher wages andworking harder. Negatively reciprocal inclinations tend to reduce effort. Firmsdo not pay lower wages to individuals with strong negatively reciprocalinclinations. Instead, negative reciprocity increases the likelihood of beingunemployed. Looking at broader measures of success, in terms of number ofclose friends, and subjective well-being, we find that positively reciprocalinclination are associated with greater happiness and ability to sustain friendshiprelations, with the opposite being true for negative reciprocity.
Keywords: education, training and the labour market; 
Series: Research Memoranda
Creation-Date: 2008
Number: 007
File-URL: http://digitalarchive.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fedora/objects/guid:8f7d2e11-d953-43d8-b657-13a8ac6c34cc/datastreams/ASSET1/content
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 903174
Handle: RePEc:unm:umaror:2008007