Understanding Mechanisms of Persistence in Prosocial Behavior: Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Experiment
Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics · 2025 · Adrian Bruhin、Simon Haenni、Lingqing Jiang、Adrian Roethlisberger、Regula Buchli、Beat M. Frey
中文摘要
我们检验请求个人献血是否会带来行为的持续变化,并考察其背后的机制。在一项田野实验中,我们随机分配一通动员潜在献血者到场献血的电话,并对其跟踪长达18个月。我们观察到至少持续1年的显著行为持续性。利用自然发生的不利天气条件作为献血者到场的第二个工具变量,使我们能够区分基于行动的持续性(即 Stigler 和 Becker 所说的习惯形成)与基于动机的持续性。我们的结果强烈支持基于行动的持续性是其背后的机制。
Abstract
We test whether asking individuals to donate blood leads to a persistent change in behavior and examine the underlying mechanism. In a field experiment, we randomize a phone call asking potential blood donors to turn out and follow them over up to 18 months. We observe significant behavioral persistence for at least 1 year. Using naturally occurring adverse weather conditions as a second instrument for donor turnout allows us to distinguish between action-based persistence (or habit formation per Stigler and Becker) and motivation-based persistence. Our results strongly favor action-based persistence as the underlying mechanism.