Anonymity, reciprocity, and conformity: Evidence from voluntary contributions to a national park in Costa Rica

• Published in: Journal of public economics Vol. 92; no. 5; pp. 1047 - 1060
• Main Authors: Alpizar, Francisco, Carlsson, Fredrik, Johansson-Stenman, Olof
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2008; Elsevier
• Series: Journal of Public Economics
• Subjects: Anonymity; Conformism; Conformity; Costa Rica; Distribution; Finance; National parks; Natural field experiment; Reciprocity; Voluntary contributions; Reciprocity; Voluntary contributions; Anonymity; C93; Natural field experiment; Q50; Conformity

We investigate the role of anonymity, reciprocity, and conformity for voluntary contributions, based on a natural field experiment conducted at a national park in Costa Rica. Contributions made in public in front of the solicitor are 25% higher than contributions made in private. Giving subjects a s...