Altruist Talk May (also) Be Cheap: Revealed Versus Stated Altruism as a Predictor in Stated Preference Studies

Abstract Altruistic preferences have been found to be important for explaining the substantial non-use values identified in numerous stated preference surveys. However, studies analysing effect of altruism on willingness pay (WTP) underestimated challenges measuring by measures. We exploit a naturally occurring decision domain investigate role studies. employ novel dataset, collected from an Internet survey panel, that contains respondents’ past donations earned coins charities and use these data analyse donation behaviour same WTP. across two contingent valuation surveys environmental topics. Donators are proven givers anonymous unrelated setting, much like decision-making dictator game. find associated with higher WTP, even after controlling measures altruism, ecological, attitudes. The results suggest fail capture aspects implying previous based such may questioned. also support research demonstrating altruistic one is good predictor other domains.