Doctoral Dissertation in Economics: The Negative Image of Incentivizing Prosocial Behavior

Title: Doctoral Dissertation in Economics: The Negative Image of Incentivizing Prosocial Behavior

Principal Investigator: B. Douglas Bernheim

Dates: April 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013

Sponsor:National Science Foundation

Abstract:
Receiving a material incentive to behave prosocially may damage one's social image and hence discourage prosocial behavior. Through this negative image effect, theoretical literature explains how incentives can have a net positive, negative, or null effect on prosocial behavior.