TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Benabou, Roland
AU  - Tirole, Jean
        TI  - Incentives and Prosocial Behavior
        PY  - 2005/Jul/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 1695
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp1695
        AB  - We develop a theory of prosocial behavior that combines heterogeneity in individual altruism and greed with concerns for social reputation or self-respect. Rewards or punishments (whether material or image-related) create doubt about the true motive for which good deeds are performed and this "overjustification effect" can induce a partial or even net crowding out of prosocial behavior by extrinsic incentives. We also identify settings that are conducive to multiple social norms and those where disclosing one's generosity may backfire. Finally, we analyze the choice by public and private sponsors of incentive levels, their degree of confidentiality and the publicity given to agents' behavior. Sponsor competition is shown to potentially reduce social welfare.

        KW  - identity
KW  - greed
KW  - overjustification effect
KW  - crowding out
KW  - esteem
KW  - motivation
KW  - altruism
KW  - morals
KW  - rewards
KW  - psychology
KW  - social norms
        ER  -