CeDEx workshop - Lisa Cameron (Monash University)

 Little Emperors—Behavioural Impacts of  China’s One Child Policy

 Lisa Cameron, Nisvan Erkal, Lata Gangadharan, and Xin Meng

 Abstract

This paper uses the tools of experimental economics to investigate the behavioural impact of the One-Child Policy. We conduct experimental games with individuals born just before and just after the One Child Policy who are otherwise similar. The single offspring who are a consequence of the policy are found to be less trusting, less trustworthy, less likely to take risks and less competitive than if they had had siblings. They are also less optimistic, less conscientious and more prone to neuroticism. This generation is just now making its way into positions of influence. Thus the One Child Policy has significant ramifications for Chinese society and for the world with which China increasingly deals.