The identifiable victim effect in charitable contributions
Do we have the tendency to be carried away with images of a specific victim despite other victim’s equal or superior needs?
Intervention Description
Participants were given three conditions in a study in which they were asked for charitable contributions: The story of a girl named Rokia from Mali, who is starving, a description of how many children are dying in Mali of starvation, or Rokia’s story along with statistical information. People were more likely to donate if given Rokia’s information than the statistical information. Interestingly, people were more likely donate if only given Rokia’s information than if it was presented alongside the statistical information.
WANT TO WORK TOGETHER ON A RELATED PROBLEM?
Effective interventions start with a nuanced understanding of how decisions are made. Our mission is to help large organizations be better and do better, using behavioral science.
