title: A cross-cultural study of noblesse oblige in economic decision-making.
abstract: A cornerstone of economic theory is that rational agents are self-interested, yet a decade of research in experimental economics has shown that economic decisions are frequently driven by concerns for fairness, equity, and reciprocity. One aspect of other-regarding behavior that has garnered attention is noblesse oblige, a social norm that obligates those of higher status to be generous in their dealings with those of lower status. The results of a cross-cultural study are reported in which marked noblesse oblige was observed on a reciprocal-contract decision-making task. Participants from seven countries that vary along hierarchical and individualist/collectivist social dimensions were more tolerant of non-reciprocation when they adopted a high-ranking perspective compared with a low-ranking perspective.
authors.affiliation: Lakehead University, Orillia, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fiddick
authors.forename: Denise Dellarosa
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janicki
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erlich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D004467:Economics; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005717:Games, Experimental; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009656:North America; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011582:Psychological Theory; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D012846:Singapore; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult