The role of affective empathy in paternalistic decision making

Last registered on June 15, 2023

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

Region

Primary Investigator

Affiliation

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Affiliation
GRAPE
PI Affiliation
GRAPE
PI Affiliation
GRAPE

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2023-06-12
End date
2023-07-18
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
Sponsors & Partners

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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

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?
No

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.
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
IRB Approval Date
IRB Approval Number

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials