The role of affective empathy in paternalistic decision making

Last registered on June 15, 2023

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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title

The role of affective empathy in paternalistic decision making

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0011514

Initial registration date

June 08, 2023

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published

June 15, 2023, 4:06 PM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country

Poland

Region

Primary Investigator

Name

Erita Narhetali

Affiliation

Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name

Magdalena Smyk-Szymańska

PI Affiliation

GRAPE

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Marek Weretka

PI Affiliation

GRAPE

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Joanna Tyrowicz

PI Affiliation

GRAPE

Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status

In development

Start date

2023-06-12

End date

2023-07-18

Keywords

Behavior

Additional Keywords

paternalistic decision making, affective psychology of risk, framing effect, risky choice, Asian Disease problem

JEL code(s)

Secondary IDs

Prior work

This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.

Abstract

Numerous investigations have probed into empathy's role in understanding others' gains and losses within dyadic settings. Yet, the impact of empathy on paternalistic decision-making, particularly under conditions of uncertainty, has not been extensively explored. This study proposes to fill this gap by examining the influence of affective empathy on paternalistic decision-making using a reimagined version of the renowned "Asian Disease" problem. Vásquez and Weretka (2020) have previously illustrated that affective empathy, within non-paternalistic contexts, exhibits interdependent utility characteristics usually found in sympathetic relationships rather than antipathetic ones. We hypothesis that similar mechanisms may function within a paternalistic environment as well. Our research design incorporates a 2 (framing: gain versus loss - between) X 3 (relationship pattern: neutral, sympathetic, antipathetic - within) mixed design. Our primary analysis will be conducted using mixed-effect logistic regression. To evaluate how affective empathy influences variability within individuals, we employ Hierarchical Bayesian Estimation.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

Narhetali, Erita et al. 2023. "The role of affective empathy in paternalistic decision making ." AEA RCT Registry. June 15. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.11514-1.0

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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

This is not an intervention study.

Intervention Start Date

2023-06-14

Intervention End Date

2023-06-21

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

relation pattern, framing, and risky choice

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

This study aims to explore the role of affective empathy in paternalistic decision-making under uncertain conditions. Our primary interest lies in determining whether empathic engagement prompts decision-makers to lean towards either increased risk-taking or heightened risk aversion, as compared to neutral or antipathetic scenarios.

Experimental Design Details

In this study, we utilize a modified version of the "Asian Disease" problem, an experimental vignette developed by Tversky and Kahneman (1981), designed to test the framing effect in decision-making under uncertain circumstances. To fit our purpose, we've replaced the outbreak scenario with a water shortage problem. Partici-pants, assuming the role of building managers, are tasked with making decisions regarding the distribution of the constrained water supply. To induce empathy, we introduce information about their relationship with the building's inhabitants in three distinct patterns: neutral, antipathetic, and sympathetic. In the neutral pattern, no additional information is provided. The antipathetic pattern involves minimal interaction with residents, primarily dealing with complaints or problems. The sympathetic pattern suggests a close relationship, with a manager familiar with every resident, their families, and actively involved in regular meetings discussing vital community issues. Partici-pants will be randomly assigned to two groups, each receiving the scenario either framed positive (gain) or negative (loss). Participants will first be presented with the neutral scenario. This will then be followed by either the sympathetic or antipathetic scenario, the order of which will be deter-mined randomly. We are planning to implement an experimental design structured as a 2 (framing: gain versus loss - between) X 3 (relationship pattern: neutral, sympathetic, antipathetic - within) mixed design. Our primary analysis will be conducted using mixed-effect logistic regression.

Randomization Method

Randomized done by the online platform survey

Randomization Unit

individual

Was the treatment clustered?

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

Non-applicable

Sample size: planned number of observations

300 pupils

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

150 pupils for framing gain, 150 pupils for framing loss (between subjects). 100 pupils for treatment neutral, 100 pupils for treatment antipathetic, and 100 pupils for treatment sympathetic.

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

N= 200 for 98% power.

Supporting Documents and Materials

IRB