CeDEx
Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics

CeDEx workshop - Vittorio Pelligra (University of Cagliari)

Date(s)
Wednesday 8th February 2012 (14:00-15:00)
Description

Social Preferences and Perceived Intentions. An experiment with Normally Developing and Autistic Spectrum Disorder Subjects

Abstract:

Models of social preferences explain departures from pure self-interest as a consequence of either outcome-based or intention-based other-regarding motives. Various experimental studies lend support to the conclusion that subjects behave as if they conditioned their behaviour on the perceived intentions of others. We present a new experiment that explores this as if clause by making the ability to detect intentions a treatment variable. We compare normally developing children with autistic children – typically unable to perceive intentions – and find differences consistent with the hypothesis that behaviour responds to intentions, especially if unkind.

 

Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics

Sir Clive Granger Building
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0)115 951 5458
Enquiries: jose.guinotsaporta@nottingham.ac.uk
Experiments: cedex@nottingham.ac.uk