Who gives to effective charities? What makes them give?

Abstract

This study examined the factors that influence individuals’ charitable giving decisions, particularly their allocation of funds between an effective charity, an ineffective charity, and themselves, with an eye towards understanding how one’s inclinations toward calculating thought or logical arguments in decision-making influence such choices. The author hypothesizes that calculating modes of thought and logical arguments for altruism will decrease overall giving for many people, but will compel them to give a higher proportion of their donation to more effective charities. The opposite is true of those with feeling-based, affect-driven decision-making. Using lab experiments and statistical analyses, the author also develops and tests a Central Model of the charitable decision that incorporates psychological utility gained from the act of giving. – AI-generated abstract